I DO RECEIVE some very interesting information from Express readers, none more so than the copy letter I opened today from John Prescott's office on the subject of travellers.
According to our Deputy PM travellers (or 'gipsies' as his letter describes them) are no problem at all.
Local councils, apparently, have all the legislation necessary to deal with trespass and unauthorised encampment and it's up to them to use it.
Isn't it amazing when residents are faced with a difficult problem how quick organisations are to pass the buck?
Old folks who need a ramp to get in and out of their home contact the town hall who deflect them to Age Concern who send them to Social Services etc. You get the drift?
Look at what's happening with Macclesfield General Hospital where management claim to be under funded by £14m while President Blair claims NHS funding is at its highest level for 25 years.
The more layers in the organisation, the more opportunity to hide incompetence. (Remember The £850m Dome?)
So next time a school playground has to be closed due to the broken glass, gas bottles, excrement and filth left by 'travellers', remember the words of Mr Prescott:
'Your local council have all the legislation they need to prevent the problem.'
- THE views expressed on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express.
