WHAT steps might Linda Kelly (Still saying “no” – Examiner, March 22) and the Keep Holmfirth Special group take to keep Holmfirth “Special” now that Harrows has closed, and two other of the bigger retailers on Victoria Street are about to close?

Tesco may indeed not be to everyone’s cup of tea, but the proximity of the proposed store would surely bring people into the centre of Holmfirth and therefore help with what little economy might be left should any more well known shops close their doors.

As for the rejection of the Tesco build on traffic grounds, the amount of traffic disruption at the bottom of New Road, just to prepare pedestrian access for the proposed Lidl store recently, can only be a sign of things to come once vehicle use comes into play when this supermarket opens.

Strangely, the Keep Holmfirth Special group were very silent when Lidl plans were made known.

They even expressed some degree of support when it was suggested Sainsburys might be interested in the Riverside site.

However, it seems neither of these supermarkets would be a threat to our local shops!

People seem to have forgotten how busy it was when the Midlothian shop and petrol station were there, never mind the British Gas vans lined up on the roadside every few months.

Now that the “Murco” petrol station on Huddersfield Road has gone, such a facility is badly needed in this part of the Holme Valley.

My family and I have supported local shops and businesses for many years and will continue to do so, and even if Tesco do lose out, the likelihood is that something will eventually be built on the site, and that something will generate traffic anyway.

PS: Did anybody from the Holmfirth side make the round trip via Huddersfield to fill up or shop at Morrisons in Meltham last weekend?

Ray Thompson

Upperthong

Stub this out

COULD there be a more disappointing response to the issue of enforcing the smoking ban at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, than the statement by Lesley Hill, the trust’s director of planning, performance, estates and facilities, to the effect that ‘talks are very much at an early stage over enforcement issues and nothing has been finalised as yet.’ (Examiner, March 27) ?

I’m sure that in her highly responsible role, Ms Hill has to make many difficult decisions and deals with an enormous range of complex issues, but this isn’t one of them.

Every day, small groups of inconsiderate patients and visitors gather to smoke directly in front of large, clear notices informing them that smoking is not allowed in that area, and a shelter is available 20 or 30 yards away.

It seems hard to believe, as reported, that security guards do not have the power to intervene, but if this is the case, then empower them.

How hard can it be to ensure that regular visits to the doorways are made, and any smokers are asked to stop or move away?

Most people find it difficult to understand why this has not been the procedure for many years.

This is, after all, a hospital. Many of the people forced to pass through clouds of smoke are unwell.

Within a few weeks the number of smokers will decline to almost zero.

The time for discussion and consultation has long passed. Just do it.

Lewis Rich

Fixby

Good Samaritans

FIRSTLY to the person who handed my bank card into Slaithwaite Lloyds TSB. You know who you are.

Secondly to Mark Schofield for clearing our road and help push my car out of the snow, to allow me to get to the supermarket and finally to the gentleman at Sainsbury’s who gave me his £10.00 voucher and his active Kids vouchers.

A very big thank you to all of you.

Julia Dyson

Linthwaite

Where’s the post?

I FULLY re-iterate the comments by Elsie M Eva (Examiner, March 26) and say a huge thank you to Kirkburton News and Ben Smith, our milkman who delivers from Ingbirchworth (when everyone else is warm and cosy in bed) for their excellent service during these very adverse weather conditions.

But what happened to Royal Mail who have not made a delivery to our house on the A629 main Huddersfield to Sheffield Road for a week now?

SA

Penistone Road

Snow stars

MAY I through your letters column say:- congratulations to the Paper Shop in Marsden, who, despite no snow clearance along our cul-de-sac, have never failed to deliver my neighbour's and my paper each day.

Our grateful thanks to you and your stalwart delivery team, lots of hugs to you all.

PS

Marsden

Control spending

SINCE coming to power the present Government has imposed a series of cuts throughout the economy.

The impact of these cuts has been exaggerated by opponents of the Government, and their effectiveness is very much open to question.

We learn that the National Debt continues to grow at a frightening rate, as does governmental expenditure.

The influence which government has over the national economy is actually quite limited – but surely any responsible government, at a time of financial crisis, would put its own house in order by bringing its expenditure within its own income, and thereby setting an example to the rest of the country?

This Government has failed even to attempt this. Has it lacked the resolution to control its own spending, or does it not really care about anything except staying in power?

Arthur Quarmby

Holme

In suburbia

WILL Huddersfield lose out? Councillor Peter McBride, (Examiner, March 23) highlights a number of under-used and empty properties in Huddersfield.

How many jobs will be created if these properties are renovated/refurbished for business use?

Meanwhile on Thursday, March 21 along the soon to be electrified TransPennine rail link (2019) to Leeds, the £350 million Trinity shopping centre opened, which attracted 130,000 people and could eventually create 3000 jobs.

So who will benefit from the TransPennine electrification, Leeds or according to Councillor Peter McBride, Leeds’ newest suburb called Huddersfield?

MG

Crosland Moor