Letters - December 8, 2016

When will councils realise that implementing public space protection orders (PSPOs) will not only alienate residents. but visitors alike. It will not solve the problems.

Lowlives who do not pick up after their dogs will still not do it. They will still not put their dogs on leads. Fines are in place already. Engage with local dog owners and dog training clubs instead of punishing those with happy, well-controlled dogs and a pocket full of poo bags.

Dogs need off-lead exercise – frustrated dogs being walked on-lead in open spaces have the potential for far more aggression. More often than not an owner, without realising it, by holding the dog back on the lead, is raising the animal into an aggressive body posture, body upright, head upright, telling any dog it is probably up for a fight.

Off-the-lead dogs talk to each other with body positions and gestures that humans don’t even see – they can then decide to play or walk away.

We have recently moved to Bispham having holidayed on the Fylde coast for many years in our caravan with our dogs. One of the main reasons for retiring here was the unrestricted dog walking. We were visitors, we are now residents, either way we have spent many happy hours and not a small amount of money on the Fylde coast. Think of your residents, but as importantly think of the visitors you could lose to the dog friendly Lake District and equally dog friendly Wirral.

Finally I reiterate – do not penalise the majority of dog owners because of the few who will ignore these proposed new PSPOs anyway – there are already laws in place, so implement them, engage local people and leave the law-abiding citizens alone to enjoy their dogs, off-lead, in the beautiful Fylde coast!

Anne Pratt

Queens Promenade

Bispham

LEISURE

Hospital staff take up the park parking

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that it’s almost impossible to park anywhere around Stanley Park during the day?

I have an interest in photography and like to take photos of scenic interest. I have, on many occasions, tried to get a parking spot somewhere near the park, as I carry a fair bit of equipment, but from around 7am all the surrounding parking spots are taken up by staff at Victoria hospital.

How are the local people expected to visit the park to have a walk round or visit the café for a drink if there is nowhere to park the car when they get there? I personally don’t have any bother with walking, but what about the elderly or parents with children in prams? There isn’t anywhere left to park after 8am.

I now find that it’s only a short trip to the parks in Preston, where the scenery is nicer and no trouble parking.

Name and address supplied

ENERGY

We have questions to be answered

Your article “Cuadrilla’s benefits pledge” (Gazette, December 3) contains yet more promises from Mr Egan that seem to owe more to the Blarney Stone than to any wish to properly inform and engage with communities.

Ever since Cuadrilla’s infamous frack at Weeton five and half years ago which resulted in the earth tremors, communities have been trying, with very limited success, to get Cuadrilla to tell “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” about fracking. They are sick of the half-truths about the fracking process, the over-inflated claims about jobs and the trite assurances that fracking is safe because there is “Gold Standard Regulation”.

If Mr Egan genuinely wants to support local communities, he could make a start by answering, through your columns, these questions:

1. What actually went wrong at Weeton?

2. What does he mean when he talks about “Gold-standard Regulation” – when all four regulatory bodies consider it to be a meaningless term?

3. How does the “safe” polyacrylamide lubricant break down during the fracking process and what breakdown products come back up the well?

People who oppose shale gas are much better-informed about the real truths behind fracking than Mr Egan seems to realise, and will be carefully scrutinising his response. They also have many more questions that still require answers. These three are just for starters.

Dr Stephen Garsed

via email

HEALTH

You don’t have to miss out on treats

If you are living with diabetes, following a healthy lifestyle during the festive period can be a struggle, but it shouldn’t mean treats are off the table.

The occasional mince pie is fine as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

This festive season our website is packed with ideas for easy ways to create healthier versions of your favourite Christmas dishes, nibbles and treats.

Staying active helps to manage your blood glucose levels as well as helping to shift those extra calories you might have eaten. So instead of settling in front of the TV after your meal, why not squeeze in a quick walk round the block or a longer stroll to the park – or even go out to the sales.

One or two high blood glucose readings shouldn’t affect long-term diabetes, but people should aim to avoid persistently high readings. For more go to www.diabetes.org.uk/enjoying-Christmas and www.diabetes.org.uk/enjoyfood

Merry Christmas,

Stephen Ryan

Head of the North, Diabetes UK