YEP Letters: January 14

Floods: questions need to be asked

Christopher H Tyne, Leeds 15

I find myself in agreement with the article by Grant Woodward in the YEP (January 7) on the subject of funding for flood defences in Leeds, but several additional points need to be made.

I am pretty certain that if the flooding which has taken place in this area over the past days had happened in the Thames Valley the money would have been found within a matter of hours. Though I am not a supporter of the present government, questions need to be asked locally about the way Leeds City Council, in particular, has expended the money that it does have. Nothing more needs to be said about the ridiculous cycle pathway but although the new entrance to the city station does meet a need, was it really essential when the government is withholding money thus stopping the financing of more basic needs? What about the money to be spent on the ‘renovation’ of Leeds Art Gallery? If the roof needs repairing or replacing let the work be done, but why is the whole gallery being given an overhaul which will take a year to complete? And how much will that cost?

As to the balance of claims between overseas aid and the needs of this country, the first, second and every other priority of any democratic government should be the needs of the people of its own country. In a democracy, the wishes of the people should be paramount. By all means remit some money for overseas aid as and when the budget allows, but not to the tune of billions of pounds when the people of this country from Cornwall to Aberdeen are suffering as they have done over the past couple of months.

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PM is throwing taxpayers’ money around

Terry Watson, Adel

I wonder what the people York and Cumberland, whose lives have been decimated by floods, thought when they heard the news that the Serbian city of Lazarevac had been saved from flooding by millions of pounds in aid from Britain.

The deputy mayor was very grateful to Great Britain and the British people for their generosity, but rightly so commented: “It does seem strange they spend so much in our country on flood defences, yet were not investing in their own. It is terrible to see the people of Britain suffering.” Well said Mr Brojan Stevic, but it won’t stop big spender Cameron throwing borrowed taxpayers’ money around while cutting costs in all our own vital services.

He thinks he is impressing the world with his generosity, but other countries just laugh.

He is just a laughing stock to his EU masters who know he has no intention of leaving the EU no matter how the British taxpayers vote.

As Prime Minister he is as big a disaster as Tony Blair, the most despised politician in our history, and why he hasn’t been replaced is a mystery.

Keeping the city moving

Maureen Beddow, Horsforth

I was very impressed by your full coverage of the floods in West Yorkshire, showing fully the extent of suffering to many, many people, our own city was deeply affected.

The volunteers were wonderful, so quick to respond and the public praised them all, rightly so.

There is another section of the public who gave their all, the shop workers, office workers, security people who worked constantly to keep the city of Leeds moving in the period up to Christmas when we had the threat of terrorism, these people all kept things as normal as possible and kept people feeling safe while they were shopping. The police were around, security was seen in most stores. Bus drivers, taxi drivers, trains, never stopped. It must have made these services aware that they were at risk also. We should acknowledge everyone involved, not forgetting the market staff and the welfare services. If I have left any section out it wasn’t intended.

Praise for ‘amazing’ staff

Diane Barnes, by email

Waitrose in Meanwood deserve some public praise for the exemplary service they gave to my aged and demented mother.

My mother was a well known character frequenting Meanwood and the park on her mobility scooter with her Border collie dog attached. Although she had plenty of money she was quite mean and Waitrose staff turned a blind eye when she nicked poly vegetable bags because she didn’t want to pay good money for doggie poo bags!

They fetched her shopping for her, they even accompanied her to her doctor’s after she had a fainting fit in store, despite my mother complaining to them all the way that she was “OK”.

They chatted to her when she got her free coffee every day and they had my ‘phone number for emergencies. When I called in they gave me updates as to how they thought she was. How could they better this amazingly kind service?

By attending her funeral on Monday and presenting me with a large, beautiful bouquet of flowers “from all at Waitrose”.

What an amazing thing to do...I shall always be grateful to them for the tolerant, patient and tender support they gave to a difficult old lady.