26/3/2008

Woking

Letters from March 13 2008

Residents should be asked for their vision

EDITOR — The News and Mail had a very exciting story about plans for Woking (February 28), which I would like to comment on.

It seems there is to be:
1. A rail fly-over apparently in the middle of town;
2. A multi-storey bus depot, also in the middle of town;
3. A major transport hub in the middle of town;
4. A series of multi-storey high-rise buildings with a college, hotel and new department store in the middle of town;
5. More flats in the middle of town, some above the bus station;
6. Improved shopping opportunities and more restaurants in the middle of town, indicating both are in short supply;
7. Sustainable housing for all the community in the hinterland (whatever that is). The phrase “sustainable community” is actually the title of a plan left to us by that great statesman, John Prescott, which means it must be suspect;
8. “A hub which is a vibrant destination” — does anyone know what a vibrant hub looks like?
9. “We have got to stop looking inwards at ourselves but at how we can make things better for our children.” I assume this means the people of Woking are selfish and short-term in outlook. I wonder who that can be?
10. “Recent planning applications are going to be small in comparison to what needs to happen...”, implying it’s all been decided so don’t bother protesting.

This sounds all very exciting if you want to live in a combination of the Victoria coach station, Hammersmith flyover and Croydon.

There is no mention of the new roads which are already badly needed. The A320 and A322 are not capable of supporting current traffic, let alone any increase.

There is no mention of the inevitable new car parks, nor no mention of wider streets to cope with extra local traffic.

There’s no mention of whose land will be built on to accommodate the ‘vision’. No mention of plans to support the aging population or of plans to support the youth of Woking, who need more support than ever.

In fact, no mention of anything that Woking residents have asked for, other than a threat that they will have to get used to big plans being imposed on them, as per items seven to 10 of my letter.

And, of course, we must all stop being “selfish and short-term”. How arrogant is that? Judging by this vision, it seems to be a series of Whitehall diktats that meet centralised Brownian government’s plans, ignoring what residents want.

Woking does need a vision for the future and renewed facilities, but these need to be based on a set of plans discussed and agreed with residents who might actually have priorities other than those of Gordon Brown and his cronies.
R Whitehand
Golf Club Road
Woking

Support for the elderly

EDITOR — My aunt aged 88 lives alone in the Woking area and developed stroke-like symptoms late on February 13.

She was unable to summon assistance and eventually a concerned friend who was unable to make contact visited her house and called an ambulance.

Paramedics took her to St Peter’s Hospital and a call was made to a relative who gave a medical history of the patient. A call was also made  explaining that at least two days’ observation would be necessary to establish prognosis.

The relative was called by St Peter’s at 3.30pm on February 15 to say she had been discharged and was in an ambulance on her way. The relative pointed out that she lived alone and was in no fit state to be sent home without support.

A neighbour went to my aunt’s house to welcome her but at 7.30pm, with neither patient nor contact from St Peter’s, she assumed aunt was staying for a further night and went home.

A short while later another neighbour, who was aware that aunt was in hospital, was surprised to see a taxi arrive with aunt. She was concerned she would fall and be unable to enter her house as she had left her home without keys.

Aunt is now stable and at home. My outrage relates to the disgraceful policy of the hospital to discharge an elderly lady without support. Staff must have been aware of her frail physical condition. How often is this situation repeated? A formal complaint to the Trust will be made. 
Name and address supplied
Michaela Morris, director of nursing and operations at St Peter’s, said: “We are very concerned to learn of this elderly patient’s experience, particularly as there are robust procedures in place to ensure that all patients are assessed and discharged in a safe, dignified and appropriate way.
“We regret that without the patient’s details we are unable to fully investigate the circumstances. However, we would be keen to do so in order to fully respond to the concerns raised.”

Parking at the piazza is just the ticket

EDITOR — On a couple of occasions on my way home from work, I have noticed cars parked on the pedestrian piazza between the council offices and the theatre.

This must be a really useful facility on cold, wet evenings and would save visitors to the theatre from having to cross the road to the Brewery Road car park.

Could the News and Mail advise how residents can obtain the council parking permits these cars display?
John Cooke
Meadway Drive
Horsell
Phil Evans, the council’s parking services manager, said: “The only vehicles that are routinely allowed to park in this area are those used by the mayor and chief executive.
“On occasions, vehicles associated with high-profile VIP visits, where security is an important factor, are also allowed to park there temporarily. There are no plans to allow parking there for any other vehicles.”

Neglected courts are a disgrace

EDITOR — As a fully qualified sports teacher who started in Woking in 1964 and played tennis in Waterers Park, Knaphill, from 1953, I am incensed at the deplorable, unplayable, neglected state of this one available public tennis court.

It is sad to see an unplayable surface, no proper net or surrounding net to stop tennis balls going several hundred yards into the lake nearby.

The council has told me that this is not on the immediate agenda, nor are its plans to repair the tennis courts in Woking Park.

In the USA tennis is a major supported sport. No wonder we have no English Wimbledon or world class champions.
PE Davies
Inkerman Way
St John’s

First printed in: Woking News and Mail

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