OH dear, yet again Heather Causnett lays all the blame for the ills of child rearing on the mothers (Letters, July 3).

There is rarely a mention of the role fathers can, and usually do, play in caring for their children and setting an example of how a man can be kind, well-mannered and reliable. A good role-model is the best way to show children how to behave.

Lumping together all parents (bad), all young men (bad) is so obviously wrong.

Look around, ballet lessons, swimming lessons, football clubs, breakdancing classes, scouts and girl guides, visits to the seaside; all activities enjoyed by children and supported by parents, often at significant cost.

I frequently see parents walking their children to school and home again, chatting pleasantly and obviously enjoying their children’s company. This is not the picture I get from these comments.

Do these critical people have no decent families of their own to alleviate their perception of the young people of today, doing their best often in difficult circumstances?

Pamela Brown, Goodwood Grove, York

 

RE: the fountain in Parliament Street, rather than lift and level the whole paving area – it has the look more of a seascape with its rise and fall than a paved area – they decided to cover the peak with a raised and level platform and the fountain that we see today.

Perhaps by retaining the bottom part of the structure and building up they could mount a statue to Richard III or even a statue to the Queen to commemorate her reign.

D M Deamer, Penleys Grove Street, Monkgate, York

 

COUNCILLOR Andrew Waller states that the decision to stop the development of affordable housing in Newbury Avenue was taken after listening to residents (Letters, July 4).

Of course residents should be heard, as they were when the Newbury Avenue scheme went out to public consultation last year. Which begs the question what does the council expect to hear that is any different from the previous consultation?

The executive has made it clear that this scheme may never happen. So with a fully designed development, residents consulted and a great deal of money already spent, has the executive considered how much money will be wasted if it does pull the plug?

Has it considered that the cost of other approved housing schemes could go up if Newbury Avenue is shelved?

The Tory/Lib Dem coalition appears to be targeting this nine-unit scheme over issues that have arisen on the nearby 55-home former Our Lady’s School site, which is unjustified.

Each case should be considered on its own merits in planning terms and not be subject to political interference afterwards.

This decision by the coalition represents a gross waste of taxpayers’ money, a hollow commitment to affordable housing and the undermining of a legal planning decision taken by a cross-party planning committee last October.

Cllr Barbara Boyce, Labour Spokesperson for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, City of York Council

 

JUST an example of how York Hospital has made a mistake and does not realise it.

I found out from the appointment centre at the hospital that I had a review appointment coming up in May 2016 for my right knee.

I then promptly raised this issue by emailing the PALS, requesting transfer of the appointment over to another hospital. However, they cancelled the appointment, so I am left without a review appointment through no fault of my own.

Ann Dales, Nelson Street, Scarborough

 

IN the interests of road safety, I take no pleasure in having to remind those drivers of motor vehicles who park indiscriminately in and around Huntington Primary School when collecting their offspring.

Examples are self-evident, especially at the junction of New Lane and Huntington Road.

Parking two abreast on the extended footway close to a bus stop lay-by and driving off U-turns into oncoming traffic is all in contravention of the Highway Code. The danger they place themselves in at this busy junction with their nearest and dearest on board beggars belief.

May I make a suggestion to have bollards installed on the offending area of footway.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington