This week's letters: Future of Redditch train station, e-scooters and more - The Redditch Standard

This week's letters: Future of Redditch train station, e-scooters and more

Redditch Editorial 13th Feb, 2021   0

ON THE front page of last week’s edition of the Redditch Standard there was a photo of Matt Dormer, leader of the Borough Council, with the current railway station in the background.

He appears confident that a massive amount of national Government money will be dished out to improve this and other areas of our town centre.

I wish to focus on just one thing he said: “So, everything we do will be with that second line in mind.”

He was referring to the proposal to transform the railway station and creating a second platform.




In this vision or plan I haven’t seen whether it will be to the east or west of the present single track. Does he know?

Before Network Rail sold off the old railway goods yard for the Gloucester Close housing development there was double track into Redditch’s railway station from the north.


Could it be that the line will remain single track here and say, within the next 10 or 15 years there’ll be another station built in the Brockhill/Bordesley area?

This was a serious suggestion made about a decade ago – with this new ‘Redditch North’ station having free park and ride facilities for commuters.

The existing station would be re-named ‘Redditch Central’ or ‘Redditch Town’.

Finally, to end on a very frivolous idea, re-opening the railway route to the south of Redditch.

This would create a direct route to Evesham and London – reversing the Beeching closure.

Yes, at one time it was possible to have a day trip to our capital travelling by train without the need to go via Birmingham.

I’m not suggesting this idea – unless perhaps Matt Dormer secures even more money, and it forms part of his ‘blue sky thinking’.

P Bladon, Southcrest

BEFORE Redditch councillors ‘splash the cash’ on more fancy paving tiles in the town centre, perhaps they would take a walk round the local estates and see the disgraceful state of the pavements in many areas.

They have been dug up and relaid so often that they are a death trap for walkers and certainly for electric wheelchair users who risk tipping over every time they venture out.

Walking aid users also say the uneven surfaces jar their arms and shoulders, exacerbating joint problems.

This is in addition to all the pavement users having to dodge cyclists, and more recently escooters riders.

Perhaps one of two police officers could be spared from issuing out fines to non-mask wearers and enforce the law on pavement use.

Further to that, if breath is so lethal, why are electric hand driers still in use in toilets?

Surely if one Covid carrier coughs while using the drier then everyone in the building is in danger of being infected.

While masks are a vital part of the fight against infection they are not infallible.

Also, are the handles of escooters disinfected after use, or do the riders carry home whatever infections are on the handlebars?

M Morley, Headless Cross

I SEE that the council are planning to spend thousands of pounds landscaping the area around Church Green.

Having spent a huge amount resurfacing Alcester Street, I would like to know how much this has increased footfall and spending in the town and how much of an increase they forecast will gained from this latest plan.

I think the money would be better spent either updating the bus station to give passengers somewhere warm and draught free whilst waiting for a bus, and demolishing the old buildings opposite and putting a covered retail walk way from the train to the bus station.

Or moving the bus station next to the train station to make a passenger hub and using the old bus station for a covered market.

H Croft 

I HAVE read with interest the various comments made in your newspaper each week and I entirely agree that Ipsley Meadow is the wrong area to put a new cemetery.

In this conservation area roads, car parks and perhaps eventually a new crematorium would have to be built, as the current one is nearing its capacity.

As I have many years of exploring our wonderful park I propose that the planning department look at locating the new cemetery at the other end of the park at the far end of Bordesley Abbey Meadows.

This would have the advantage of being a short walk from the current crematorium and could be developed over a period of time with car parks and paths added as necessary.

Historical digs could be incorporated as the site develops and any artefacts found added to our museum.

L Lerston, Crabbs Cross

REGARDING Redditch school uniform bank (redditchstandard.co.uk) It was fantastic to see a reminder of the excellent work of the Redditch Labour Party’s organisation of the annual school uniform bank.

A clear demonstration of community spirit in action. An event that I supported in 2019.

The event provides a great, go-green, recycling opportunity and it works – just donate good quality uniform items, exchange and/or receive items and all in one place.

In addition to recycled uniforms some schools, businesses and individuals donated brand new items and I am sure more would be welcomed.

Young people of Redditch are our future students, workers, parents, business owners and community minded citizens.

It makes sense to support families and set young people such a positive example of the good community spirit in Redditch.

Redditch resident 

 

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