Letters to the Editor: Bedlam at bus station

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Poorly planned

I agree with J Rogers' letter January 18. Clive Square is an inviting alternative. The current situation, based in one of our least attractive streets, is actually distressing for visitors to our town as I witnessed just before Christmas.

It was hot and unbelievably overcrowded on the narrow footpath; almost impassable for a pedestrian especially if they had bags ... which naturally they did.

There was not enough seating or shelter for everyone. So what happens on busy, rainy days?

An elderly lady was standing on the corner waiting for friends to collect her. She was feeling the stress of the situation and would have benefited from a cool place to sit or some refreshments while she waited.

Two people with a clipboard were the only source of information.

They did their best in the cramped conditions but may as well have been herding cats; one passenger actually missed his bus although he was on site when it was still parked.

When the buses arrived it was bedlam.

At least double the people; the bags were unloaded on to the already heaving footpath; it was a mission to get out of there - and then the walk to wherever the car was parked ... Welcome to Napier.

E Church,Napier

Road disruptions

I write with respect to your "Cycle Lane Award" article in the paper.

The council seems to live in a different world from the rest of Hastings.

We all support safer cycling but it has been apparent the council has gone about it the wrong way. They have disrupted Duke St, Gascoigne St, Lumsden Rd, Nottingley Rd to name a few.

We have had street parking removed for no reason.

The cyclists still use the footpaths as the cycle lanes were deemed to be too dangerous.

It is difficult to understand why this should be applauded or even considered for an "award". No award would be forthcoming from the people of Hastings. Watch out Townsend St - I believe you are next.

Rhod Murray, Gascoigne St Action Group

Excellent care

On January 6, I had a hip joint replacement operation at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

I would like to thank all the nursing staff involved, from day surgery, the sparkling prep nurse, surgeon Laurence McEntee and his surgical team, the team in recovery and finally the great crew in Ward 3B.

I, and my whanau, commend you all for the excellent care and treatment I received.

Kia ora koutou katoa

Hilton Rohe,Wairoa

What about staff?

Tuesday's paper was an interesting read. I do enjoy HB Today.

It's great that our prisoners can get rehabilitation before they leave the prison, but how come they took a wrong turn to Te Angiangi Marine reserve? Were they allowed to drive? And if so couldn't anyone read the signs? Why the headline "Inmates snatch reserve seafood"?

I thought the staff would be in charge and know where to go and be looking after their prisoners.

It's great the prisoners will face no action but what about the staff? Ordinary citizens would not be allowed to get away with that especially as there are signs out there.

It could be a better idea to teach our prisoners and staff what is right and wrong and learn to read first and then look for seafood.

Val King, Clive