Jailing of pedestrian sets dangerous legal precedent.

 

The traffic accident that resulted in the untimely death of Celia Ward, 77 years, who was riding her bicycle on a footpath, on the ring-road in the centre of Huntingdon has created a very dangerous legal precedent. 

Who has the right of way on a footpath?  The pedestrian, the cyclist, the person driving a mobility vehicle, or the new scourge of electric scooters, designed for one person, but often carrying two?

On this occasion, it would seem that Ms Auriol Grey, 49 years, a pedestrian, stood her ground and remonstrated with Celia Ward who was riding her bicycle, on the footpath in the opposite direction. 

Sadly, Mrs Ward fell off her bicycle, into the path of a passing motor vehicle, and was killed.

On this occasion the footpath in question was not marked with a cycle lane and it is reported to be too narrow to be shared by pedestrians and cyclists.  

The question that would seem to have been evaded by Cambridgeshire Police, by the Crown Prosecution Service and by Judge Sean Enright who imprisoned Ms Grey for three years at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday, March 2, is, ‘do pedestrians have the right of way on a footpath?’   

Common sense says that they do and that those on bicycles and motorised scooters should dismount and give way to pedestrians, whilst those riding mobility vehicles must also stop and also give way. 

The clue’s in the word ‘footpath’, or ‘pavement’, which, by definition, is a path for pedestrians at the side of a road.

James A Cowan MBE

 

Extortionate increase for non-existent police officers

 

We read a lot about fake news, politicians of all parties telling untruths and the public having lost faith in the Metropolitan Police. 

Having received the new Council Tax bill and leaflet from the Police Commissioner makes me wonder what planet we are living on.  

Once again, an extortionate increase on the police council tax. A claim that the same level of police service will be maintained when the service is non-existent. 

More invisible, virtual, or non-existent police officers.  If they exist – where are they and what do they do all day? 

It is years since we have seen any police officers in our towns, villages and communities.  It feels like a public sector con – when will people see this?   

It is impossible to lose faith in them when there is no faith to lose. It mirrors the television licence where we are forced to pay for it and get nothing in return, apart from, in the case of the BBC, an occasional good programme.

It is good to see a well-deserved increase for the fire service, they provide an excellent service and the officers who regularly put their own lives at risk.

Finally, a thank you to the district council, for all the services they provide and the combined authority for saving the local bus services which are vital to so many.

Anthony D Barraclough

Burleigh Road,

St Ives

 

 

Why are charging points not visible?

 

I was surprised, but pleased to see in the small car park off South Street, in St Neots, there are now two electric car charging points.

I noticed these because I was looking to find somewhere to park. If I haven't of been looking carefully I would of missed them! 

The pity is that I cannot find any signposts either in the town centre or in South Street drawing drivers attention to their avalability. 

I don't know whose responsibility it would be to put signposts up, but it would seem very silly to install these devices but keep them a secret.


Bill Hodges

Eynesbury

St Neots 

 

 

Immigration was discussion at learners group

The choice of ‘immigration’, by Huntingdon Area lifelong Learners’ discussion group, coincided with parliamentary debate on the government’s Illegal Migration Bill, and press coverage of it.

Members noted that some 45,000 asylum seekers had crossed the Channel in the last 12 months, set against a total net immigration figure of half a million.

The latter high figure not only included students, as usual, but people from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, situations where the UK had a specific involvement.

Concern was expressed that the Government’s hardline policy criminalised people fleeing war or persecution.

Safe and legal routes existed, but mainly for refugees already in temporary accommodation in other countries. Boats were used because the UK had made other routes impossible.

It was observed that a recent Government proposal, to use a detention centre in France, could, if it were to provide a location for ‘processing’ asylum applications be a legal means to arrival.

The current proposal by the Home Secretary, for deporting ‘illegal’ immigrants to Rwanda, not likely to be in conformity with the Convention on Human rights, was deplored.

Some members felt that it was right nonetheless to refuse admission to Albanians who were deemed economic migrants.

Another advocated the issue of ID cards, which would enable accepted migrants to work here and contribute to the economy in areas where workers are already needed.

It was noted that most asylum seekers have historically been granted asylum.

It was not felt that there was any progress yet to a fairer system.

Dan Beck

HALL