HAVING recently retired I thought my social life would no longer be bound by restrictions of having to get home early.

Thanks Kirklees Council. Turning off the lights will turn me into Cinderella – I must be home by midnight – or have to plan ahead and always carry a torch to walk home in the dark with. Even more scary prospect as I get older!

Surely not everyone wants to be in bed by midnight, especially at weekends.

Also will we all have to pay to set up our security lights at the front of houses?

More expense. Thanks again Kirklees.

M P Walker

Meltham

Enlightening times

I WOULD like to reply to P Woodthorpe (Letters, February 11) who claims that the reason Kirklees is switching off the street lights at nights is because of Tory cuts.

I would like to suggest that some of the following Labour policies had something to do with it.

Private, public, initiative; selling off our gold reserves at a fraction of today’s price; the Iraq war; lack of regulation of the banks; bail out of the banks; lack of courage in tackling gold plated public pensions while at the same time raiding private pensions.

Most the above policies cost the British taxpayer unimaginable amounts of money.

The note that was left for the new Treasury Minister in 2010 should have read, “Sorry we have no money left, but we have borrowed billions and billions for our children to repay.”

I hope this note will enlighten (pardon the pun) Mr Woodthorpe in his hours of darkness.

J Ruttle

Highburton

Shedding light

IN REPLY to Clr Phil Scott’s attack on myself (Letters, February 8), regarding the switching off of lights in my Kirkburton Ward, I would like to state the following.

1 I know from talking to my electorate how important street lights are to them, particularly in a rural area.

2 Street lights in the Kirkburton Ward are all absolutely necessary, otherwise they would not have been erected in the first place.

3 If the Almondbury councillors are happy for their street lights to be switched off and then an accident occurs because of the dark, I assume they will not want to be responsible and state that it was the officers who chose which lights to switch off.

4 Crime in the Kirkburton Ward is relatively low compared to other areas and this is due in no small fact to the street lights being on when it is dark.

5 I do wonder why the good people of Almondbury pay their council tax if their elected councillors are happy for some street lights to be switched off.

As for me keeping people in the dark, I wonder I have not agreed any street lights to be switched off but if you live in Almondbury and find yourself in the dark when street lights used to be on, you know where the blame lies.

Clr Christine Smith

Councillor for Kirkburton Ward

Blackout danger

KIRKLEES Council’s proposal to turn streets lights off is a dangerous idea.

Reading a book about Huddersfield during the war when compulsory blackout was in order, many were injured and killed, struck by cars and falling down steps and cellars etc.

In our present era midnight is not late, so going or finding your way home from clubs and so on is fraught with danger, certainly dangerous for women who will walk home in the dark.

Kirklees will be operating a mugger’s charter if lights are off. The mind boggles at how many crimes will be committed in the dark.

Lights out a bad idea, not thought through properly. Saving money, yes, but you can not put a price on life.

Mrs W Foster

Leeds Road

School connections

IT WAS with an ironic smile I read the letter of Relieved Parent of Longwood (Tuesday 12 February).

As a former pupil of Colne Valley High School, I too am concerned to read of its current woes. To read how wonderful Royds Hall is is very pleasing.

The irony? The current headteacher of Royds Hall is, like me, a former pupil of Colne Valley High School.

Pamela

Bailiff Bridge

Positive view

IN RESPONSE to “relieved parent,” (Letters, February 12) I wish to express my annoyance

Comparing Royds Hall to Colne Valley, serves no purpose to students or parents.

As a former pupil of Colne Valley and parent of a year 7 student, I think it wise to remain optimistic that Colne Valley is able to get back on track within the next 12 months.

I believe that the head mistress and staff show real commitment in their efforts to transform the culture of this very large school, and that they will be receptive and willing to embrace Ofsted’s recommendations.

While there are some who question the need for a strict policy regarding pencil case equipment, they are imperative for the smooth running of lessons and encourage self discipline and motivation.

When my son started in September he settled in extremely quickly and enjoys his time there.

We have also been impressed by the various workshops, designed to help parents support their child’s school work.

Criticism levelled at the school is damaging to student morale. We must remain positive and optimistic for the well being of our children.

SIGNED HOPEFUL PARENT

It’s not Henry

AS I walked to work (February 7) with my St Bernard, as I do every day down Occupation Road, Lindley, I was chased after by a lady who wanted to know if I picked up after my dog.

Fair question, so can I just clarify to all who live on Occupation Road that the enormous piles of dog dirt that keep turning up on the road are nothing to do with my St Bernard, Henry. I have always and will continue to clean up after my dog. Thank you.

Tina Novakovic

Stinky Dog Grooming, Lindley

Always a no-go

IT COMES as no surprise to hear that there is a change in the planning applications for the Lindley Moor site put forward by Stirling Scotfield.

The concern that I have is how many of the councillors were aware of the change in the planning application and if they were aware of the changes why did they not speak out. I am sure the councillors will say they had no knowledge of the intended changes to the planning application and therefore the councillors will then admit like our MP that they have been hoodwinked.

If this is the case then surely any new planning application submitted to build on this land either by Miller Homes, Harron Homes or Stirling Scotfield should be thrown out, as it appears the Data Centre was a non-starter from the outset.

LINDLEY MOOR RESIDENT