We told you so, Kirklees

May 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE mudbath left in the aftermath of the visit to Greenhead Park by the Chinese State Circus is a case of, we told you so, Kirklees Council.

I am one of a group of guys who enjoy a kickabout in the park and a pint afterwards and walk through the park daily on my way to work. As a group, in late March, we reported the poor state of the fields, with puddles of stagnant water there for six months at least.

Therefore, Kirklees, you may be one of the best councils in the country, but your Leisure and Cultural Services are bordering on the “not fit for purpose” as regards its lack of communications.

You are one department in the same building; culture books the events, leisure maintains the grounds. The events are in place and advertised but the maintenance is non-existent. Instead, the council blames the weather or the budget available.

This smacks of false economy. Spend a few hundred pounds now instead of thousands later and, for pity’s sake, when the regeneration scheme starts put some drainage down.

Clr Khan’s comments were off the mark. The problem originates in-house, within the council. The circus made the best of a bad situation. My only criticism is a safety concern regarding vehicles moving off the site early.

Nick Betner

Marsh