'Moron 4x4 driver almost hit young woman - how many lives equate to cost of a new sign?' Your Gazette Letters

She had the green light when a moron driving a black 4x4 nearly hit her.

The said moron did not want to go down East Hill so he turned sharp right at the traffic island, the result of which could have been very serious.

What I have great trouble with is how many lives equate to the enormous cost of putting a “no right turn” on the said island.

One day somebody will die.

If you are the young lady I’m referring to, write to the council about it but keep it simple and don’t use any big words.

Alan Dean Smythies Avenue, Colchester

• No brightly coloured boots when I watched U's legends

Not to be outdone by a comparative youngster, in my view I would say the best team Colchester United ever had was in the old Southern League and that is the team that lost 5-0 away to Blackpool.

Players names that come to mind are Arthur Tuner, Bob Curry, Harry Berryman, Digger Kettle, Dennis Hillman and Len Cater.

There were no fancy bright coloured lightweight football boots in those days only hard leather ones with a really hard toe cap.

The footballs were also made real of leather and laced.

When it was wet and you got in the way, it hurt.

There were thousands of supporters who filled Layer Road on home match days.

The front gardens of the houses opposite were full of bicycles and the corporation buses filled the road outside.

Joining the supporters club in those days you received a lapel badge and a year bar thereafter.

Supporters had a chain of bars right down to their pockets.

I cannot be the only old supporter who remembers the club run out music from those great old days the Post Horn Gallop.

So come on you golden oldies, I am sure that lots of you, unlike me, will remember all of the team names and the name of the manager as well.

What season was it?

Tony Ashby Hedge Drive, Colchester

• Town centre talks have been held

In response to Norman Bailey’s letter (Gazette, March 21), I can tell you talks were held at Essex County Council, myself and a senior officer attended with county councillor Kevin Bentley and highways officer Alan Lindsey.

We started off discussing the town centre and pedestrianisation of the High Street.

We agreed it would be good for the town and also for helping solving air quality problems.

As it affects business in the town, it was felt the decision to move forward with pedestrianisation would be for Colchester’s businesses to decide.

So that is where we are.

Ian Vipond will take this to the various forums the council holds and will ask them the question.

It needs to be done in the right way with everyone on board.

We talked about the need for our bus firms to have greener and cleaner buses to help combat air pollution, but without major funding we cannot do that. Kevin will be looking at ways to get that funding. I also asked about the Lewis Gardens U-turns and Brook Street traffic lights, and highways will be reviewing those problems.

It was good to have a meeting and while I didn’t get a decision I wanted, we didn’t get a no either.

Now it is down to others to move forward and change the town to make it better.

Cllr Mike Lilley Councillor responsible for safer communities and licensing Colchester Council

• Bus lane must be policed properly

With regard to Mrs Brown’s letter yesterday calling for the opening of the north bus lane, given the amount of time I spend on Station Approach waiting for cars illegally exiting said road I was under the impression the bus lane was generally ignored.

I fail to understand why the authorities pass laws and completely fail to police them.

My overview of the works on Colne Bank Avenue is it will only serve to exaggerate the congestion in the area and this will only be relieved by the very necessary and urgent need to dual the Avenue of Remembrance throughout its length.

Colin Halls Sutton Park Avenue, Colchester

• Children must be given lessons in humanity

News a group of youths reportedly kicked Skittles, an eight-year-old cat, to death on Friday serves as a stark reminder of the importance of teaching children about empathy for animals from an early age.

Of course, it is crucial witnesses report all known or suspected cases of cruelty to animals to authorities immediately and our legal system ensures perpetrators are given the maximum sentence – including prison time, counselling, and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

However, it would be much better if we could prevent animals from being abused and neglected in the first place.

We could make great progress towards this goal by requiring humane education in schools.

Children who learn to consider the feelings and rights of others – to see the “us” in “them” – stand a good chance of growing into kind, benevolent citizens and peaceful community members.

Teachers can download Peta’s humane-education pack at sharetheworld.org.uk.

Jennifer White Peta UK London

• Cat death was brutal, pointless and depraved act

There is no limit, it seems, to the extent of human cruelty and depravity.

The pointless and brutal killing of an innocent pet cat (Gazette, March 20) is beyond comprehension to most normal people, as is the mindset of the parents of those responsible for this appalling act.

Clearly they have failed to instil any sense of decency or respect for living creatures into the heads of their offspring.

Disappointingly, even if these yobs are found, there are unlikely be any consequences for them, other than a “telling-off”.

Hopefully we may eventually learn the names of this bunch of mindless trash, and remember them, for they are undoubtedly heading for a life of crime, and it may not be that long before we read about them yet again.

Paul Hart Alexandra Drive, Wivenhoe

Editor's note: Police said yesterday they believe Skittles was already dead when he was run over by a teenager on his bike. Officers are talking to two boys about the incident.

• They can’t even agree on bins!

I READ with interest Mr Marks’ and Mr Jellard’s comments and I concur wholeheartedly with the content of both their missives.

Colchester borough councillors cannot even agree on refuse collection - wheelie bins versus plastic sacks.

So, how on earth are these councillors going to agree and, more importantly, control a project the size and magnitude of West Tey?

As far as I’m aware, none of the councillors, or officers, has the wherewithal, experience, qualifications, expertise et al to tackle such a huge undertaking.

Mr Jellard asks [when this project fails] who will pick up the tab for the wasted money?

Quite a simple answer, Mr Jellard: We the tax payers. We pick up the tabs of all “failed Government and council projects” – not MPs and councillors - and, this won’t be an exception.

History will repeat itself.

Patrick Dent Station Road, Wakes Colne