THE Liberal Democrat policy over the two separate proposed Slaithwaite developments is to listen.

There are two consultations: one today at Slaithwaite Civic Hall (12 until 7pm) to look at the proposals for a supermarket and the other on Thursday February 28 at Globe Mills (2pm until 7pm).

Neither of us have had chance to hear the full details of the proposals nor have we yet had many comments from members of the public. We want to hear what you think.

There are pros and cons to both developments and either one of them will have an impact on the village in terms of vehicles, pedestrians, shopping habits and much more.

It is our intention to carry out a survey in the local area to ask residents what they think about the proposals and how they think they will impact the village.

Nicola Turner and David Ridgway

Councillors, Colne Valley Ward

Spending wisely

IT HAS been some time since I have read such a biased letter appearing in the Letters column (February 11) but, in my view, P Woodthorpe takes first prize.

To lay the blame for reduced street lighting at the feet of the Conservatives is laughable. Are you aware that there is a power share in our Government?

That means there are two parties at present running the country the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

With regards to the cuts in services which our council has been making, street lighting to name but one is Labour-led. They need to save money from somewhere as they cannot keep spending money at the rate at which they have. In simple terms it is called budgeting.

People budget when they have less coming in to that which is going out. Labour for 13 years never saw the need to do this.

They worked in a different manner. The manner in which Labour worked was to spend, spend, spend and no they were not pools winners.

They were robbing Peter to pay Paul and as everyone knows (exclude Labour supporters) those chickens have a tendency to come home to roost.

We now find in the present day that our Coalition Government is taking actions to reduce that massive deficit which was built up. To do that, spending cannot carry on as it has.

Local councils now find that the money which they received from central Government has been reduced. So instead of grumbling do the best with what you have.

Clr Christine Smith works for my ward and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that she is a tireless worker.

Clr Smith has issues with the lighting switch off and did not wish to be part of what she saw as a necessity for lighting in her ward for safety reasons.

R J Bray

Shelley

Bright idea?

AS STREET lights have to be turned off at midnight till 5.00am, I am sure people would agree with me that Kirklees Council should consider turning out every other street lamp rather than have a complete black out.

It could be planned that a lamp could be lit at a strategic place such as a road junction or where ever light is needed in a particular road. Then arrange for the next lamp to be out, then the next lit and so on and so forth.

The council on implementing this would have to make best use of the lamps that were lit all the time. This would mean there would be a bit of extra light, rather than nothing at all.

Colin Liversidge

Dalton

Quick thinking

LOOKING back at communications in the 1980s, people used a standard phone, wrote letters etc or used the new mobile phones that were the size of a building brick.

Now 20 odd years later we have real time communication’s via the internet, conference calling, mobile phones, tablets and so on.

So what will be available in the next 20 years? Who knows.

Makes me wonder, if the communication industry keeps going at the same pace as it is now and people and business have instant access with each other, why waste £30 billion plus on a high speed train?

Who will want to, need to or be able to afford to travel on it?

Bryan Spencer

Crosland Moor

‘It’s a football problem’

I REALLY must take exception to the statement in Wednesday’s Comment Column about the “high cost of policing sports fixtures”.

I need only refer you back to last weekend and matches in different sports between Huddersfield and Wigan.

A slightly larger away support on the Saturday than the Sunday, yet not a policeman in sight on the first day but many on second.

This is a football problem, not a sports one.

Mark Burns-Williamson is perfectly correct that policing costs should be met by event organisers, sports or otherwise.

It is then up to those events to have their houses in order so that the minimum (or no) policing is required.

As to Steve King’s latest outburst regarding football supporters’ Human Rights, what about the Human Rights of council tax payers who have to pay for police to cover his sport?

What about the Human Rights of people wishing to be in town enjoying themselves and requiring police to keep the peace when a football match is being held?

Finally, as to any loss Town may suffer by a limit on away supporters, it is only what they should reasonably be expected to pay for policing if the away support had been allowed to its maximum level.

N Hinchliffe

Birchencliffe

Price of success?

YOUR feature on the risks to public safety during the forthcoming Town v Hull City makes me despondent.

Having supported the Terriers for more than 60 years, you may be sure that I have seen some varied behaviour by fan(atic)s of all persuasions.

In the 1980s, whilst living in London, I was able to enjoy a Fulham v Town evening match seated comfortably among the ‘black & whites’ with no sense of unease, even when Chris Marsden's two ‘goals’ were disallowed. Result 0 v 0.

In our promotional euphoria under Mick Buxton, when we won at Leeds Rd 5 v 0, all supporters stood together on the terrace, again, no bother.

If ‘success’ in getting into the Championship means that the normal supporter has to don a Kevlar vest because there may be ‘away’ fanatics, bussed in under security conditions, then some of us will be surrendering our season tickets.

I still blame Jimmy Hill (ex Fulham) for his actions which resulted in the beautiful game being transformed into a billionaire's gamble.

Grousy Pensioner

Cowlersley