Network Rail has had several consultation sessions regarding the closure of crossings and anyone still wishing to voice their opinions should do so immediately.

Network Rail will close crossings regardless of our opinions as its concerns are for safety rather than convenience to walkers and cyclists.

Its reference to dangerous crossings and accidents relate usually, when you dig into to the statistics, to suicides.

Sadly, those in positions of distress resulting in a wish to end their lives will continue to find a way, whether there is a crossing or not.

With regard to the crossings immediately in my area of Wivenhoe, despite great opposition to closures, Network Rail will do what it wishes.

Here is what I understand Network Rail to be undertaking, according to its website: Paget Road will be diverted via the High Street.

I haven’t yet met anyone who thinks the Paget Road crossing should be closed, but trains passing since the opening of the consultation have clearly been asked to hoot much louder and longer, so there might be some complaints about this crossing.

The Sandpit crossing will be diverted to an existing bridge. That bit further to walk, but they can’t see that someone might use this to get from A to B rather than just being out for a stroll with no timescale.

The university crossing will be adapted to be cycle and disabled friendly. The lower lodge field crossing isn’t mentioned, so should hopefully remain as a pedestrian/dog friendly crossing.

Please remember we use these crossings regularly and wish to retain them.

Dilly Meyer High Street, Wivenhoe

  • We should learn from other towns

It is not my intention to enter in to a duel with Will Bramhill. I did not propose a flyover.

I pointed out land and properties were purchased to improve the traffic flow from St Botolphs Circus through Magdalen Street, Barrack Street to Hythe Hill with a flyover from Hythe Hill over the Hythe river and Clacton Railway line towards Clingoe Hill in 1967/68.

The road and the flyover were never built as it was deemed too expensive.

Property was purchased at the top of Brook Street and left to decay. They even wrote to one of the previous owners to inform him the site was unsafe and that it was his responsibility to make it safe, as he no longer owned it. You can imagine the reply.

Businesses in Magdalen Street were refused permission to develop their sites as land would be required for the wider road.

Let’s face it, we are not to good at getting the price right.

Firstsite was delivered late and over budget yet the person responsible received a pat on the back.

The Colne Bank Avenue roadworks are £250,000 over budget and delivered late.

As for improving public transport, don’t even go there. It is a complete shambles in Osborne Street, St John’s Street and High Street with buses not having enough room to pull in.

Does anyone at the council not visit other towns to see what they do?

John Sallows Bramley Close, Alresford

  • Over-development concerns genuine

I AM sorry Mr Goss feels it necessary to give such an angry reply to my letter and to personalise his remarks.

I think I am entitled to raise legitimate questions about the housing bonus of £13 million that Colchester Council has received.

I am very much aware of all what he says about the planning process but this is what the Government states in its own press statement of February 3 2014: “The New Homes Bonus is a powerful and transparent incentive for communities and councils to say yes to new development in their area.”

This is what I am drawing attention to with Colchester Council.

Nearly £13 million is an awfully large sum of money.

I think I am also entitled to ask where this money goes and who decides.

I ask readers to bear these points in mind.

I hope he was not serious in linking my creditability to a mistaken postcode.

Don’t attack the messenger, there are more than 1,000 on Mersea that have joined STOP350. Their concerns are very genuine.

John Akker Independent Candidate Mersea and Tiptree, Essex County Council Elections

  • Heartfelt thanks to diligent surgery

I WOULD like to say a big thank you to the Halstead Surgery for the care, compassion and courtesy shown during my late husband’s illness.

In particular, Doctor Salmon, went above and beyond the call of duty with her visits and telephone calls.

Diana Theobald Beridge Road, Halstead Bin lorry’s U-turn at Firstsite entrance Today I saw a corporation dustcart doing a three point turn in the entrance to Firstsite and he had a queue behind him.

K V Warne Exeter Drive, Colchester

  • A-board row has a whiff of hypocrisy

What a contrast. We have a long-standing independent trader being threatened by Colchester Council for using an A board to advertise his shop and services in Short Wyre Street and being castigated by Labour councillor Mike Lilley who describes his action as “discriminatory”.

Meanwhile. we have Tim Young, Labour councillor praising the statue located outside the Fenwick department store.

No hint of a “discriminatory” offence here despite being placed on the walkway.

Naturally, I recognise the second case already has planning permission while the first case does not.

However, I conclude again there is more than a whiff of hypocrisy in the attitude taken between the two situations by councillors. Stephen Scrase Wakes Colne World's best park? What planet is he on?

It is a sad state of affairs that somebody is desperate enough to take pennies from a pond. Does one detest or pity the culprit?

However, in response to councillor Darius Laws saying that Castle Park is the greatest park on the planet.

I can only assume either he hasn’t visited many parks or wonder which planet he is on?

Ruby Morris Third Avenue, Walton

  • My Hackney carriage memories

My great uncle Jack or John Bonner was the last Hackney carriage driver who used to ply from Colchester station to the High Street.

When I was a child he would take me to feed his horse in a stable in Lion Walk, we also used to go to the Castle Museum to see his carriage that was on display.

He used to live in St Mary’s Road (now long gone) and had a boy and a girl.

The boy Ted Bonner had the grocers shop on Head Street named Forsdyke and Bonner and the girl Elsie was in the Co-op bank all her working life. I hope this will bring back memories to some of your readers.

Len Goodman Birkin Close, Tiptree