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Your say online, May
May: This is the place for users of Hemeltoday to have their say online. Have your say on local news, local issues or the national issues.
To enter into the debate click here to have your say or scroll down to see what others are saying.
Konrad Michels
Hemel Hempstead
I have the misfortune of being a regular cyclist in Hemel Hempstead. I use "misfortune", because cycling in Hemel is becoming more and more of a health hazard. One would think that regular cycling would be good for one's health, but when you're up against 1+ tons of flying metal and glass every day, not to mention a council intent on destroying your bicycle with its potholes, it suddenly starts casting douct on the wisdom of venturing onto Hemel's roads with a bicycle.
To give a bit of context, I am one of those people who cyle to the station in the morning, take my bicycle on the train, and cycle to the office on the London side of the journey, and then do the reverse in the evenings. Despite the traffic being several orders of magnitude busier on the London side, I feel far far safer cycling in London than in Hemel: on the Hemel side, close calls with inconsiderate drivers is a daily occurrence, and it is often more than one a day.
When you see a cyclist on the roads in and around Hemel, please consider the following: 1. You are piloting a lethal weapon that weighs at least 10 times what the cyclist weighs, and you are travelling at at least 30 mph: its no competition, if you hit them, the cyclist *will* come off second best; 2. OK, so cyclists do stupid irresponsible things some times, and it makes you angry. Using a ton of metal and glass to show them how angry your are is completely disproportionate, and not the correct response: you will hurt them badly; 3. You don't *have* to get around the cyclist in front of you, and cut back in front of them, just to show them that you are better endowed than they are. I'm sure all cyclists are happy to concede that your assets are more magnificent than theirs, and there is no need to put their lives in danger just to get your point across; 4. All cyclists will also be more than happy to concede that you are a better driver than Lewis Hamilton if you will only stop passing them so close that there's only a layer of paint between you, them, and injury. We will even put it in writing if you so desire; 5. To the boy racers out there who insist on gunning their souped up Saxo/Ka/whatever as they pass, and shouting abuse as they pass: I'm sure all the Hemel girls are already well impressed by your manliness and are queuing up to have your babies. There really is no need to buzz the cyclists anymore, honest!
So please, car drivers of Hemel (and I also drive a car in and around Hemel!), please be extra careful when driving in proximity to cyclists. You don't realise just how dangerous a car is to a cyclist, and by not taking that little bit of extra care around us, you could end up killing or maiming us for life.
Claire Corrie
Subject: Buncefield Siren Test
I work in Maylands Avenue, no-one in my office heard the siren. My father was at Leverstock Green Community Centre at the time of the test and no-one there heard it either. Is the siren suppose to be audible to the human ear?
Anonymous
I am now getting really fed up with the Kodak Tower. We too live 2 roads behind the work going on over the weekend and I work from home as well and I have had to put up with the constant noise from the site for months now. How on earth was the work allowed to go on over the weekend - our local council have a lot to answer to. My little girl was ill today and she couldn't rest at home because of the noise - what on earth is it going to be like during the Summer?. Even in evenings and weekends we get the crane alarm going off - I am definitely going to try and get some council tax monies back. Dacorum Council thank you for making our lives hell. I can't wait to see what it is going to be like having all those people staring down at my property - GREAT!
Anon
Park Road
Hemel Hempstead
Overnight Bridge Removal
Last night was the start of the removal of the large concrete footbridge across Leighton Buzzard Road and what a night it was! The noise was incredible, goodness knows how the folk who live fronting onto Leighton Buzzard Road coped, it was bad enough here - 2 roads behind! The children were frightened of the noise and couldn't go to sleep, when they did eventually drop off they were wakened by the ever increasing noise of what must be heavy duty drills etc. It was unbelieveable!
I know that the bridge needs removing and it has to be done at some time. I have no answers as to how else they can do it, but just wanted to say that living with all that noise was/is unbearable.
Sally Jones
Hemel
It must have been very frightening for the little lad who was knocked down in Chaulden and thank goodness his injuries were only superficial - but I'm puzzled by the reaction of Mum. First - isn't this a GOOD news story? small boy is knocked down but the car was well within speed limit and the child was OK. Secondly, aren't her children HER responsibility on the school run? OK, kids run in the road, it happens, but to get a story published attacking drivers for what might have happened? how about castigating HERSELF for what might have happened? Rights and responsibiliites - apparently this Mum has rights but no responsibilities.
andrew jones
adeyfield
RE:Rat left in loft trap 'for years' sir, I was extremely amused at the story about the "builder" complaining about the housing authority's neglect of his house. If he is a builder then surely he would have the most basic of intellect to remove the rat trap himself! and to be photographed in his own home beneath a hole in the ceiling would be a fantastic piece of self publicity for work! It would appear to me that some people want the world on a plate!!
Anon
It is reported that the new Schools' aggression control scheme is a success. Well isn't that nice? When I was at school we had a very good aggression control scheme - it was called the cane. We had a 100% attendance record and no suspensions. Those pupils who wanted to learn were allowed to, those who wanted to upset the classroom were introduced to the aggression control scheme. I think our scheme worked better. Oh, and on leaving school we didn't mug old ladies.
Mrs D Holmes
The problems at Hemel Hospital is sadly not isolated. My father was admitted to Bishops Stortford stroke rehabilitation unit last year and had all medication stopped due to a mild stroke. He suffered a heart attack which was not even noticed by staff until i pointed out that he was not right. There was no doctor available and the local GP refused to come out because nursing staff said I was over reacting. My father died because stroke rehabilitaion units are staffed by carers and low qualified nursing staff. They cannot respond to medical need as and when it arises, as it would frequently with elderly patients having medication withdrawn. This is a countrywide problem. Our hospitals are ill equipped to deal with our elderly and put them in back wards until they die or get moved and become someone elses problem. Can't wait for that!
John
Hemel Hempstead
Schools' aggression control scheme a success
It is reported that the new Schools' aggression control scheme is a success. Well isn't that nice? When I was at school we had a very good aggression control scheme - it was called the cane. We had a 100% attendance record and no suspensions. Those pupils who wanted to learn were allowed to, those who wanted to upset the classroom were introduced to the aggression control scheme. I think our scheme worked better. Oh, and on leaving school we didn't mug old ladies.
Michael Chase
Pinecroft
I would like to congratulate the architect responsible for rejuvenating the exterior design of the Kodak tower block. I did not think it was possible to make a 1960s concrete tower block more ugly, but this new exterior is truly hideous. A carbuncle on the landscape we can live with for another 40 years.
Malcolm Livesey
Water End
Hemel Hempstead
Thank you for inviting comments on the former Kodak tower.
Why has this monstrosity been allowed to be developed and not blown up with the rest of the high rise slums and ghettos?
Obvious to me - it is our new secret hospital - wait for the surprise announcement - perfect location with clean and bright cladding - what a boost for Hemel Hempstead....
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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