I AM VERY worried about the proposals for cuts to the Fire Service, especially the closure of Marsden fire station.

These concerns have increased after attending the public consultation meeting in Marsden last night.

The claims of the Fire Service chiefs were, in my view, shown by persistent and thorough questioning to be misleading.

They talked about an increased average response time of 48 seconds, but it turned out this was based on averaging across the whole of the Colne Valley ward, not just the area nearest to the Marsden fire station.

Closure of the fire station will also mean a loss of local knowledge.

We were told this did not matter because the fire engines will have sat-nav, but several wagons have got stuck locally following their sat-navs down unsuitable roads and tracks.

Do we want this to happen to our fire engines, leading to a further increase in response times?

It is good that Marsden is historically a low fire area, but this should not be used as an excuse for complacency.

There are several developments that are likely to lead to greater demands on the emergency services.

There has been an increase in the number of serious floods and with global warming this is likely to get worse.

Government benefit cuts and rising fuel prices mean people are more likely to have to use more risky methods of heating and lighting their homes.

The cuts are also affecting fire prevention work, so we cannot assume that the downward trends in fires will continue.

The Fire Service ‘modelling’ is based on historical averages, but surely they have to consider possible ‘worst case’ as well.

In this area we have the risk of moorland fires, the chemical works along the Colne Valley, the tunnels at Standedge and many empty, deserted mills, some of them in the village centre.

All of these have the potential to be the cause of a serious major incident.

I fear the cuts will mean that what are now ‘average’ cases could quickly become extreme, even tragic.

Martin Jones

Marsden

Spoiling our village

I HAVE lived in Almondbury for 46 years and have lived at the top of Southfield road for 20 of those years

I have watched the improvements of the village over the past two years made by Kirklees council on Northgate the main road through Almondbury

I have seen the resurfacing of the road and widening of the pavements in certain areas also the plant planters full of flowers.

But who decided we needed bollards?

The bollards look as they are in place to stop ram raiders and spoil the look of a rural village. That was the plan of the council, to keep the look of Almondbury.

As for the bollards outside the post office where are the postal vans to park?

The post master was quoted in the Examiner (November 3) as saying he had been told that Post Office, Royal Mail and cash delivery vans were to park in the nearby Co-op but talking to staff at the shop they had no knowledge of this agreement.

Why didn’t the council put a lay-by outside the post office instead of widening the pavement?

I stand by the post master who is concerned how his business will be affected by the bollards.

We have had to pay for the bollards out of our council tax. I stopped counting the bollards after 15. What a waste of time and money.

SHAUN dundon

Almondbury

It’s a transport plan

YOUR columnist Andy Jackson (Examiner, November 15) still doesn’t grasp the fact that the whole purpose behind Kirklees Highways’ actions is to make life so impossible for the ordinary motorist that he/she will abandon the car and take to the bus instead.

They are nearing success with the former, but making no progress with the latter.

Arthur Quarmby

Holme

On camera

I READ in the Examiner (November 14) that another speed camera is to be implemented at hell fire corner (who calls it that pray tell!). To the rest of us it is known as Alpine Corner.

When did we last have an accident there let alone a death?

What a load of old baloney. It is about time they came clean and just had our credit card number on our cars instead of the current registration. It would save a lot of time.

Peter K garside

Slaithwaite

Fitting tribute

IT WAS great to watch the remembrance day tributes being paid to the heroes, present and past.

The memorial is important to our heroes regardless when and where they fought in the wars

After the fall of Sikh empire, the Sikh army became loyal to the British empire. My father served under the British, serving in Europe and Asia. The Sikhs were known as the Lions army to the British.

In the two world war 83,005 Sikhs died and 109,045 were wounded yet there is no sign or memorial in Greenhead Park or anywhere in Huddersfield.

Out of all the communities, Sikhs are only two percent, and out of that two percent they have paid very big contributions in wars in Japan, Burma Italy and Europe.

Many friends of Sikhs and from other communities have asked why we don’t have a statue of a Sikh soldier as a memorial for the Sikhs who lost their lives fighting for the British.

Yes it will be a great way to remember our heroes, a great tribute to the great fighters who gave their lives for the British empire in two world wars.

Manjit Singh

Huddersfield

Crime reduction?

EPISODE two of my deteriorating street. Receiving my ballot paper for the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner election made me reflect on the increase of burglaries and other incidents which have taken place in the past five months in this street of 41 properties.

Three burglaries, one attempted break-in, two drugs raids and a street disturbance. With police numbers decreasing and crime increasing in this street, I wonder if the election of a Police and Crime Commissioner will see a reduction of crime in this street or will the election prove to be simply a waste of time and money?

Money which, judging by the crime in this street should be spent on more police? Will there be an episode 3? Who knows? I sincerely hope not!

MG

Crosland Moor

Anytime fireworks

I SEE the we will have bonfire night when we like brigade were out at the weekend upsetting pets again.

Perhaps we could have Christmas Day on December 31 or Easter in June.

J s

newsome