• Let’s vote a break from County Hall

With the local elections coming in May, I am astonished not one councillor is planning to get back some control over our roads from Essex County Council.

Why? Only last week, Sir Bob Russell complained about potholes, street lights being out, broken walls and loose paving - all of which are blamed on Essex County Council, in Chelmsford.

For goodness sake councillors, Colchester is bigger than Chelmsford and it has a proud, long history.

I am a patriotic Colcestrian of 64 years. If there was a referendum on this issue, the vote would be a landslide in favour of taking control.

Only last month, householders received their council tax bill and I hope this letter prompts a response from a councillor as to why we are fast-becoming Chelmsford’s poodle.

Last year the country got its independence back. I trust 2017 can be Colchester’s Brexit. After all, there is no mention of Essex County Council on the top of the council tax bill.

William Jolliffe Mersea Road, Colchester

  • Election won’t change anything

Reading the surprise from many politicians regarding the announcement of a June election by Theresa May highlights a lack of foresight as it was obvious.

Politicians jump on a roundabout and spin around and our problems are not addressed.

After decades of promises, nothing changes.

Brian Love Gentian Court, Braiswick, Colchester

  • I'm in favaour of housing...just not these new towns

I read with interest the letter from councillor Tim Young calling me a “nimby” for opposing the huge new towns proposed for West Tey and Wivenhoe.

I welcome his clarity in admitting that Labour favour these developments in principle as voters now know that they are offering only token opposition to them, presumably in a cynical move to retain votes.

As far as me being a “nimby” is concerned, I fully supported the large Port Lane housing development on the Paxman’s site near to where I live.

Nimbys are supposed to oppose building near to them, yet hypocritically support it elsewhere.

I don’t live near West Tey nor Wivenhoe, yet I do not support concreting over the countryside there.

I’d suggest that Mr Young stops pointing out the speck of dust in my eye while ignoring the plank in his own, to borrow from Luke’s gospel.

Colchester should grow and develop at a natural pace, as opposed to the huge artificial overdevelopment involving 92,000 new residents favoured by this current council.

That is not to advocate pulling up the drawbridge, it is common sense.

I will continue to defend our precious green spaces, such as Middlewick Ranges, from the bulldozers and suggest that some within Labour get over their bovine tribalism and work with people across the political spectrum on this.

Finally regarding Mr Young’s comment about chocolate eggs, I have been advised not to eat them due to my high cholesterol.

Grapes however, even sour ones, are fine.

Mark Goacher Colchester Green Party Morant Road, Colchester

  • Sort out glitch on app bus tickets

Travelling in and around Colchester on the bus you see posters saying make life easier use our ticket app.

Both Arriva and First do this and this works well, you do not have to worry about having the right money for the driver, just download your ticket and show it to the driver. Great idea.

But what they do not tell you is that when you buy an all-day Colchester Rover on these posters is you cannot use the app across the networks like you can if you buy a paper ticket from the driver.

So if I wish to take a trip to Tollgate, if I buy a paper ticket, I can get the 8 from Mersea Road then jump on a 65, 70 or 71 up to Tollgate, but this is not possible if I use the app ticket.

There must be a lot of people that buy an all-day Colchester Rover and their journey takes them on both networks, so if you find yourself with no money you would have to buy two tickets on the apps, one from each firm.

Both app tickets show the time bought, time it expires, the day, date, and time, so I cannot see why you can not use these the same as you would a paper ticket.

David Mills, Horrocks Close, Colchester

  • Appeal to back Mayflower project

I AM so disappointed the support for the Mayflower Project in Harwich is seriously lacking.

Do people not want to see it succeed?

Yes, there has been no work on the ship for 18 months, but this is due to the lack of funding.

The trustees and staff at the project have been working tirelessly behind the scenes trying to secure funding to complete the build and hopefully will succeed.

It will bring tourists to the town, which will bring jobs, recognition of its historical significance, rejuvenation of skills, training and work experience for not only the youth of the town but hopefully for others.

They have renovated the Harwich town station, put more than 600 apprentices through their training centre and turned part of the Harwich town station into a museum.

Feedback from visitors from around the globe to the project has been very positive.

Elizabeth Comley Mayes Lane, Ramsey

Gazette:

My husband and I recently visited Firstsite to see the BP Portrait Award 2016 Exhibition.

It was an excellent exhibition and so good to have such a quality exhibition showing locally. The paintings were well displayed, there was plenty of space to admire the work and the standard was very high.

Staff were friendly, the cafe was well used, so a very good experience all round.

Gillian Flack, Grove Hill, Langham

Gazette: