Readers' letters from Thursday 7 May 2009

Water meter warning

I READ your recent article about United Utilities with some amusement. They are trying to brainwash their customers by claiming that bills based on rateable values are only £320-£377.I live in Burnage in a three-bed semi. The sale value is approximately £160,000. My water bill for September 4 to October 4 is £524. It was £360 in the year ending April, 2005. If United Utilities are allowed to increase bills again (proposed 1.8 per cent plus inflation) then my bill by 2015 will be £694. United Utilities are pushing for everyone to go on meters. They would reduce a consumer's bill, but also reduce the money received by United Utilities. As they keep pushing for extra money by increases, how are they going to manage on less money? The answer? As soon as everyone has a meter expect the prices to go up  so United Utilities can recoup the monies lost and, of course, after one year trial on a meter you are stuck with it. Please don't let United Utilities use you. P Ward, Burnage

P Ward, Burnage

Bill went up 100 per cent

TONY Dean, from the Environment Agency, suggests water metering as a way to encourage consumers to use water more efficiently (Postbag April 29). In principle I would agree, but in practice I would say water meters are something to be avoided.Living in a water conscious household,  I thought I was probably paying over the odds for my water and getting a meter fitted would reduce my bill. For a time after having had the meter fitted there was no effect on my bill. Then I received my bill for 2009. To my horror it had increased by over 100 per cent. After hours spent on the phone to United Utilities and OFWAT I managed to get my bill reduced slightly but was told I couldn't get the meter removed because I'd had it for over 12 months. Sadly in the increasingly privatised rip-off Britain of today, water meters are just another excuse for the private regional water monopolies to tax consumers. Recently the country's water suppliers submitted final proposals to the industry regulator, and what a surprise, water bills are expected to rise by 30 times the rate of inflation. With the law to back them up they obviously think we're a bottomless pit of easy revenue. Let's bring these companies back into public ownership.James Alden, Green parliamentary candidate, Manchester Withington.

James Alden, Green parliamentary candidate, Manchester Withington.

In a huffy over poet Duffy

AFTER watching the announcement of the new poet laureate, I could not believe the flippant and arrogant way Carol Ann Duffy accepted the honour.When asked in the interview, how many poems she would write in her secondment to the position the answer was {lsquo}come and ask me in 10 years'.In the position she holds at the MMU, and being an award-winning writer, I would think this has given her a larger profile to encourage poetry.The fact that in the past she appeared to belittle the position of poet laureate showed in her acceptance.There are thousands of talented writers out there who would have jumped at the chance to hold such a renowned position and follow in the footsteps of literary greats. Here's a little inspiration for her new position in life, my poem called:Worth her saltThe splendour, the pride, a birthday saluteGuards marching by to horse guards on route Crowds gather round to see the displayFrom all round the world people will payTo enter the house of the Queen is an honourGraceful and regal this life bestowed on herRespected forever, and long will be seenGod save the country, long live the QueenPaul Broadhurst, Dukinfield

Paul Broadhurst, Dukinfield

Why I still despise Thatcher

IN replying to the correspondent who agreed with my views on Margaret Thatcher, my opinions are not merely political. The woman has a twisted sense of morality. While she persecuted the miners and the working class in general, she offered support and comfort to General Pinochet. He was wanted for genocide and other war crimes in Chile. Even the moderately behaved Ted Heath could not hide his dislike for Thatcher.She despised any form of unity among working people.The Tories agreed with her policies and still do. They simply thought she was too open about them. They prefer a more subtle approach. If they regain power, their next victim will be our NHS. Like our other utilities, it will be controlled by foreign investors. Only idiots can blame Gordon Brown for the extent of our present difficulties. His efforts are earning the respect of other world leaders. The accusations of Cameron and his colleagues about sleaze are ludicrous.If there is any truth in the Sunday press, Cameron needs to look at his own party. Any accusations of sleaze and perversion appear to be well founded. If not, they should sue the Daily Mirror for libel. People in glass houses should not throw stones. The question now arises: Are the British people ready to offer control of our country to the old Etonian Brigade? If so, Thatcher will be smiling.Tom McGovern, Manchester

Tom McGovern, Manchester

Don't worry, be happy

THIS economic crisis has got everyone worried and certainly the jobs market will change, but there is no need to despair.There will be fewer sales of new cars, but the car repair man will do better.The shoe shop will sell fewer new shoes but there will be more work for cobblers. The economy will downscale.Big expensive supermarkets will sell less food, but markets will get more trade. If you haven't got a job or trade then just offer to help someone else. For example, you may not know how to grow vegetables but why not go down to the allotments and help out an old man who does. He won't be able to eat everything himself, and with two men working the patch it will produce twice as much. If you can't afford to run a car, then take the bus. If you can't afford the bus then walk.Stevie Shaw, Chorley

Stevie Shaw, Chorley

Kick sport zone into touch

COUNCILLOR Mike Amesbury (Postbag, April 30) accuses Bury Lib Dems of 'carping from the sidelines' in our campaign to save Heaton Park from Manchester council's plans for a private sport zone in the <north west of the park. This isn't the sidelines Mike, it's Prestwich. You might have heard of us? We're your neighbours.We think your aims of providing better sport facilities are brilliant. We only wish our own council (Bury) would do the same. But it's a brilliant idea in the WRONG PLACE. Why are you proposing to turn a beautiful piece of parkland, open to all, into a commercially run sport zone that people will have to pay to use in the peak times? Have you thought about the impact the Sport Zone (14 soccer pitches) is going to have on the small residental streets of Prestwich just outside that part of the park? Please carry on with your plans for better sport facilities, but surely there is a way of doing this that doesn't take away from Europe's best municipal park. Coun Tim Pickstone, Lib Dem Councillor, Holyrood Ward, Prestwich

Coun Tim Pickstone, Lib Dem Councillor, Holyrood Ward, Prestwich

Bus nightmare

WE are frequently being encouraged to use public transport. But why? It's not pleasurable or reliable anymore, plus no one waits their turn. It's just a mad stampede to get on a bus. Last week, travelling on the number seven from Droylsden to Stockport mid-morning, I thought I was on a mobile cafe. Despite notices on the bus the driver let a mother and two children on the bus with large sausage rolls. Part way through the journey two inspectors boarded the bus to check tickets and totally ignored the people eating. However, the biggest surprise further into the journey was when a young couple got on the bus with a fully assembled standard lamp and occupied the area designated for elderly, disabled and mothers with babies.On the journey home on the same route the family from hell boarded the bus – nine people aged from about nine to 30. They went straight to the back of the bus and all had drink cans, were swearing and shouting and some were even smoking.  When they had finished the cans they were left to roll to the front of the bus under passengers' feet. Their feet were out of the way on the seats. ou might wonder why I didn't do or say anything to this family – I'm 74 and on crutches after surgery. Maybe Stagecoach have expanded and are now known as Stagecoach Removals Eatery.J Reid, Droylsden

J Reid, Droylsden