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YOUR COMMENTS:


Posted on site Thursday, January 31

Re: Re Maylands white lines and potholesFor our Pothole Hotspot, CLICK HERE

From: Carol
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Why have the white lines been repainted in Maylands Avenue? the road needs repairing first surely! this is madness.
Also some of the worst potholes are in Maxted Road and have been since Buncefield incident.

Re: Re Power cutsFor story, CLICK HERE

From: Jude Hardcastle
Apsley
Views: I refer to Kerrie Backhouse's PLEA (Schoolgirl's Plea to stop blackouts?)

We were plunged into Darkness on the evening of "CHRISTMAS DAY" I am sure readers of the Gazette, specifically, Apsley residents, will recall our "Black Out"? on Christmas DAY?

We invited my Disabled parents from Devon and endured a "Power Cut" on Christmas DAY!

Whilst my Husband spent several minutes on "THE PHONE" to representatives of the Electricity Board, it appears that APSLEY residents will continue to be ignored, over ruled and "Down Trodden" in order to achieve the Developers profits?

I Urge APSLEY Residents to contribute their plight

Re Berkhamsted Station parking

From : David Patterson
Aston Clinton
f Views: The swingeing car park increases at Berkhamsted for users, like I, of the old multi-entry card are disgusting. Someone commented to you that it would cost him 30% more. It will cost me about 66% more as it used to take me about five months to use up all 66 entries and now I shall have to get a quarterly ticket costing the same but requiring renewal in three months.

London Midland Parking just refuse to answer their telephone and don't seem too keen on answering e-mails. The response given to you by the London Midland railway company is trite, patronising and frankly shows that they do not care at all about their passengers. They know that they have a captive audience. If people want to go to London and not drive all the way then they have to use the train and, consequently, the car park.


Re: Maternity servicesFor story, CLICK HERE

From: Linda Spina-Beatty
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
Views: I had my daughter at WGH in March 2006. She was born 6 weeks early and stayed in hospital for 4 weeks.

Whilst I could see that the midwives were busy as were the nurses in the Special Care Baby Unit, we only received the best care.

I was looked after so well by the midwives before and after my was born. The midwife who looked after me before my daughter, Maisie, was born, (Dell I think was her name) even came to see me afterwards. The midwife who helped deliver Maisie, Rosemary, never left me alone once, she was brilliant. We even named Maisie after her. Maisie's full name is Maisie Rose.

The negative publicity must be towards the trust and NOT the midwives and I want my experience to reflect this.

The nurses in the Special Care Unit were great also and we couldn't have got through those 4 weeks without them. They too are amazing people.

I really hope things improve there and that some positive publicity will come out soon

From: jenna
Views: I am concerned that yet again the Dacorum action group will hijack this report for its own ends. West Herts Maternity service is not just based at Watford but includes the whole service. It cannot be denied that 5000 plus women into a site which housed 3000 + is a capacity issue however what has also hampered the development of services is this contant political bickering that serves no purpose but to get names into the paper. The Hemel Birth centre probably delivered no more than 300 women and I for one cannot see how this small number would make and impact on capacity at watford. However as a user of the service I was concerned that midwives sat waiting for those few women whilst others struggled to care for the majority. So please get real lets stop carping about the past especially by people who will never use the service and look to the future by supporting our maternity unit and its staff not bashing them for your own political agenda.






Posted on site Wednesday, January 30

Re: Youth centre seeking help for fundraising pushTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: A Grateful Perent
Berkhamsted
Views: I am writing in support of The Swan Project in Berkhamsted.

I am a parent of a young lad that uses the centre on a dailybasis. Without it both my son and I would not know what to do. My son is in year 9 at Ashlyns school and now too old for a childminder, but I am a working mother and still feel that he needs some supervsion after school.

We have found that The Swan Project is the ideal place. Clare and her team are doing a fab job of keeping the kids safe and entertained and treating them like young adults. I wasn't so sure about the place when I first heard about it so I took a walk down there and meet Clare and a few of her team. Well, the fact that there were loads of yougsters there looking happy said it all. Clare willing answered all my question and now my son can't get enough of the place.

I can go to work knowing my son is safe and happy at the end of the day and not hanging around street corners.

The club, as you say, runs gig nights and fun trips during the holidays and supports the local skatepark which is a winner with us.

I can't thank Clare and her team enough. I will be contacting Clare directly so see if there is any support I can offer as I would hate to think there is a chance we may lose a vital local venue. The other thing I have found is that it helped my son with his transision from middle school to senior school - as he and many of the other kids had already become friends by meeting up at The Swan Project, therefore breaking the ice before starting at Ashlyns.

Keep up the great work Clare.
From a very grateful parent.






Re: Hemel couple win lotteryTo see story, CLICK HERE


Dear Stephen & Ida
Congratulations on winning the lottery!!.... glad it was someone from where we live!.... all be it 500 yards from my house!
Good luck with life and I hope it helps with your health.
Gutted, from Bennetts End, Hemel Hempstead.



Posted on site, Tuesday, January 29

Re: Hemel couple win lotteryTo see story, CLICK HERE

From Martina
Views: Hi Steven and Ida
I nearly cried when I read your story. I am hoping and praying that you recover from your illness with enough time to enjoy life for a long time to come with your family. It sounds like you deserve it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this both happy and concerning time.Take great care

Re: Re not guilty of assault in clash over biker noiseTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Martin
watford
Views: RE:- BIKER NOISE
In regards to mr bennett being found not guilty, at last the courts are in the real world, more and more incidents of this nature by the youth of today go on, where people are too scared to speak up either because of fear of the youths or the law always to be on the side of those causing harm or nuisance. Do we need a death like other places in the country, from miners, in hemel before proper action is taken against this shameful behavior.


From: Anon
Views: my house backs on to the dips between warners end road and galley hill. there are numerous times motor bikes can be heard on the playing fields, and on two seperate occassions when it has been dark members of my family have almost been hit by these while crossing the path across the field, not only that, these youngsters also mess around with fireworks etc. and when approached in a diplomatic and polite manner you get verbal abuse , it's only a matter of time before some one gets injured. i can understand mr bennet's frustration as i too have young children who are frequently disturbed by the noise, and what happens to those who are riding their motor bikes??



Re: What Katie did for chickensTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Rhonda Francis
Hemel
Views: Re What Katie did for the chickens.Katie would like to thank you to you for printing her article,thanks to you she has collected over a hundred mors signitures.She wanted to know if you could print a big thank you to everyone who signed,and also to the shops who took her petition,NEWS BOX in the market square and also the cafe in the market and friends who took it to work with them.Thank you again rhonda francis


Re: Winter sports will put town on mapTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Paul Mckeown
Woodhall Farm Hemel Hempstead

Views: The Snow dome is a amazing idea for Hemel and using the un used track for other sports can only be a good thing too.Theirs a large number of Skiers and Boarders in our town!For other facillitys i would go with the Xtreme Space! Bmx and SkateBoarding the 2 largest growing sports are now both Olympic Events and Olympic Events need Olympic Facilitys .Training grounds are needed and Hemel is perfect location
With the M1 and M25 so close!Both sports have more than proved then self with the success of Hemels Skate Park! and all the other much lager parks popping up around the Country. Add in Rock Climbing, Recording Studio's,Arts Space etc and Hemel could have a good facility, lets just not get stuck in the past and settle for some thing like ice skateing just cause it gets a bit of prime time TV! - Paul Mckeown Hemel Skates Founder www.hemelskates.co.uk


Posted on Site Monday, January 28

Re: Tree felling

From: Geoff Smith
Views: I, with other neighbours were very disappointed this morning to watch one of our lovely copper beech trees being felled. On speaking to the men I was informed it had rotted at the base, and that as the root had to come out no doubt a new tree would be planted. I sincerely hope so, as these two copper beeches have been a feature of our road for many years. To watch them leaf up in the spring, their lovely bronze colour in summer and frost in winter has been stunning. We are saddened to see it chopped up, but understand why, and it would have been appreciated if we had known what was to happen.

Re: Bin collectionsTo see story on this issue, CLICK HERE


From: Diane Owens
Hemel Hempstead
Views: With regards to the never ending interest in recycling I'd like to voice my story.

We are a family of 5. Myself, my husband and our 3 young children. We also have a pet rabbit.

As a regular payer of council tax and fully aware of recent stories to fine people who do not recycle enough, I contacted the local waste centre to ask if I could have a second green wheelie bin, as cleaning out my rabbit 2-3 times a week can easily fill this, this is without all the cardbaord, food waste etc. that as an average family we accumalate. I was told I couldn't have one, but I could at MY OWN EXPENSE purchase biodegradable waste sacks from the depot which the bin men would happily collect.

As a nation of avid recyclers surely we should be making it easier for people to recycle not harder.

My green bin was full 6 days after the last collection before christmas and was not then collected until last week. I could have filled that bin 10 times over in that timeframe, but instead all the recyclable matter went into my black bin as I have no spare time or spare cash to visit the depot and buy sacks. I wouldn't hesitate to bet I am not the only one in Dacorum who feels this way.

If I had an extra green bin, I would produce less waste for the landfill sites, but as usual we are being penalised by the removal of privaledges like free black sacks and weekly collections, forced to pay more council tax and then penalised again for not recycling enough!!!

If someone can please explain the logic I would gladly listen.

I only asked for another recycling bin???????

TO RECYCLE, OR NOT TO RECYCLE, THAT IS THE QUESTION!



Posted on site Sunday, January 27

Re: Maternity services criticisedTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: sue
Views: I am concerned that your paper will again bash the maternity services simply because it is based at Watford without looking at the true facts!
If Watford had not to support a gold standard white elephant like the Hemel Birth Centre for so long maybe they would not be in this mess.
It seems to me as a recent user of the services that staff try their best under difficult circumstances and often against rude ungrateful and demanding (inappropriately so) women and their families.
NO ONE recognises the difficulty since the merger the staff have gone through when Hemel staff left in droves.
Did the Hemel gazette or people rally to improve services and support staff NO they constantly drove the nails into the coffin and hijacked meetings to serve their own ends.
Lets now stand up for the maternity services which just happen to be in Watford and support the staff because no wonder they have difficulty recruiting witht he attitude of some local press and people!!!!!!




Posted on site Saturday, January 26

Re: Plan to sell off council housesTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Christa South
Hemel Hempstead.
Views: Possibility of DBC selling off their housing stock. I fully agree with the notion that this looks like the DBC dumping their responsibility and their core function and responsibility. The owners of Leasehold property(of which I am one) are equally affected. During the last round of consultations a few years ago (which resulted in a huge majority vote for the "Stay as we are" option) the Leaseholders did NOT have a vote, unlike everyone else.
Therefore, please WAKE UP LEASEHOLDERS and join the Leaseholders Group which meets regularly. It is imperative that we bring about at a minimum a change in the voting system.


From: Martin White
Hemel Hempstead
Views: The idea of selling off the council house stock fills me with horror.It would be a complete hand washing by Dacorum Borough Council.
It would be another way of disposing what should be their resposibility to another private profit organisation.It seems to me that government departments want more and more power and money without the resposibilities.I dread to think how much time and money would be wasted whilst disputes occur as to who is responsible over any given event regarding housing.Tax payers are asked to pay evermore increasing amounts while recieving less and less from the people they pay.No doubt DBC will say that there will be "robust" safeguards and so there should be but how robust?
This new town was built with council housing and it should continue supporting that plan.



Posted on site Friday, January 25


Re: Plan to sell off council housesTo see story, CLICK HERE


From: PATRICIA
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I personally would not like to see the Council Housing sold to a Housing Association and think it will change the face of housing in the town.

I have had 1st hand dealing with a Housing Association and luckily managed to exchange from them to Council. I found them to be more expensive for rent etc than Council and also more difficult to get repairs done, although having said that our repairs will no longer be done by the council workers shortly.

And also how would tenants stand on right to buy and length of tenancy details if transferred.

We are already being stung on permit parking so what would be next.



Posted on site Thursday, January 24

Re: Use for Hemel's former Market placeTo see story which included suggestion market could become an ice rink, CLICK HERE

From: Lyn
Views: I have an idea for the old market area, construct a large indoor soft play area for children. Harpenden has Big Space and Berkhamsted has Kidzone - Hemel Hempstead does not have an equivalent that I know of.

Re: Quiz 'funnies'

From: Donald Sinclair

Views: Have you ever been in a quiz in the pub or at work and thought that the correct answer and the best answer to a question are not necessarily the same thing?

I can recall examples of this, such as;

Q Which Australian landmark was designed by a Danish architect and opened in 1973?

Correct answer Sydney Opera House. Best answer heard Ayres Rock. Or;

Q Which is the most famous aria from Puccini's 1926 opera Turandot?

Correct answer Nessun Dorma. Best answer heard Just One Cornetto.

There is a deep reservoir of amusing ignorance out there that deserves to be brought to the public's attention. It doesn't automatically equate to stupidity, after all, the Ayers Rock answer was only about 550 million years out.

We are compiling a book on the subject and are interested in any examples of this that readers may have come across.

Please email us at the address below with any corkers you may have heard, intentional or otherwise, first or second hand, along with the name of the establishment in which the quiz was staged, the county and, if known, the correct answer.

Any amusing quiz related anecdotes in general are also welcome. We will not name individuals.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Donald Sinclair / Tony Gillan
Donaldsinclair1@aol.com



Posted on site Wednesday, January 23


Suggestion to move Athletics Track

From:Hazel Blanshard
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I feel it would be very convenient if the athletics track was moved to Hemel Hempstead school,this would encourage people of all ages to keep fit,and it would be more central and easier to get to. sincerely Hazel Blanshard





Re plea for pedestrian crossing in Queensway

From: Lewis
Views: Well Today I Was Walking Across Queensway When All Of A Sudden This Ten Tonne Lorry Came Speeding Towards Me And My New Born Baby.
I Had Ran To Run Across The Road With A Buggy. If I Was A School Child Trying To Cross Queensway At The Morning Or Afternoon School Run On Parents Driving To Work Have No Care For People Trying To Cross This Very Busy Road.
Therefore On Behalf On Hemel Hempstead Citizen's I Am Starting A Pretition To Get A Zebra Crossing Or Traffic Lights Or Even Some Sort Of Way That People Can Cross Easily.







Posted on site Tuesday, January 22

Re: Planned closure of A &E at Hemel HospitalTo see story on this issue, CLICK HERE

From: Jan
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I had to use the A&E department last Monday evening, and l thought the treatment that l had was wonderful. From the NHS helpline,paramedics and amblance crew to the Dr's and medical team. I can't imagine not having an A&E in Hemel, it will be a complete disaster not everyone drives. I moved to Hemel from London and that fact there was an A&E department we were happy.


From: Dan
Views: I think it is crazy that they are shutting it down.
What kind of idiot would think it is a good idea??
its obvious saving money is more important than saving lives.




Posted on site Monday, January 21

Re: Bin collectionsTo see story on this issue, CLICK HERE

From: Mark
Hemel Hempstead

Views: The schedule of green bin collection in Hemel over the Christmas period can only be described as a disgrace. There was a complete lack of forward thinking from the council. Yet, there is no come back: We have to pay for a service that did not meet anyone's expectations! Should we not get a refund: 6 weeks out of 52 weeks should enable us at least 10% discount. Or should we open the waste collection service to competition and forego the monopolistic situation the councils enjoys allowing it to charge for not providing the proper service??

From: Hugues
Hemel Hempstead
Views: In the Gazette last week there was an article about green bins collection where people rightly complained about the lack of green bin collection for 6 weeks. Dacorum spokesperson was quoted stating "we will be monitoring feedback from residents" and in the same article was quoted stating "to reduce bad odours rinse polystyrene food packaging". Hello!!!! People are complaining about GREEN bins collection not GRAY bins collection. If in the space of 20 lines in an article you already have lost sight of the subject what are our hopes that service will improve? First you need to prove you can listen to feedback!!








Posted on site Sunday, January 20

Re: Schools too full for 4-year-oldsTo see story, CLICK HERE



From: K. Su
Hemel Hempstead


Views: My son has been offered a place at Pixies Hill, great school but there is no way I can walk him there AND get my younger daughter across town in five minutes even if I could drive to her pre-school or nursery when she changes. The quickest route to Pixies takes us down overgrown pathways, under 3 railway tunnels past burn't out secluded corners, across the canal down a country lane with no pathways or lighting and by the time my son arrives approximately 40 minutes later if they walk fast he'll be too exhausted to work. He'll be parted from all his friends and peers that he has grown up with since he was three months old. Now we'll have a very stressful time appealing




Re: Bin collectionsTo see story on this issue, CLICK HERE


From: Vincent Bannon
Leverstock Green
Views: I would like to express my thoughts regarding Dacorum District Council Waste collection service. It is beyond belief that the green waste recycling bin is left uncollected for over two months, although it contains food waste, which could easily attract vermin. In addition three months ago during collection my grey waste bin was damaged (the lid was permanently removed and lost). Although we contacted the council we did not have it replaced nor repaired. We attempted to cover it , but the cover has been disposed of on each collection! Overall incompetence, ignorance and indifference.




From: Karen
Adeyfield
Views: Bin Collections over the Christmas period should remain the same as all year round, at a time of year when cardboard is more rife than the rest of the year, and we are now told to put scraps of foods into the green bin. I really do not understand the logic of going 3 weeks before a collection. We had our green bin collected last week and because I have followed the councils guidelines as to what to put into the bin and what not too. I ended up with a few friends once the council had empty the bin "maggots". Please take last year as learning and do not make the same mistake again this year, please do not alter our bi-weekly collections of black/green. This is effective the rest of the year, I really do not see why the Christmas period would be any different.

From: A Bin
Views: did you know that the black bins in boxmoor were emptied every monday over christmas without fail





Posted on site Saturday, January 19

Re: Schools too full for 4-year-oldsTo see story, CLICK HERE


From: Christine Cook
Berkhamsted

Views: My son has not been offered a school place in Berkhamsted, even though our local school is a stones throw away from our home. Like many other families I do not have transport and will be unable to take my son to the school that we have been allocated leaving us with no alternative but to home educate.
This smacks of incompetence on the part of Hertfordshire LEA. Why has there been no forward planning? I was told just over a year ago that Swing Gate School were being forced by the LEA to reduce their school places due to the falling birth rate in the town, what falling birth rate? The applications for primary school places this year were the highest ever! What exactly do we pay our taxes for?
This is a very sad time for Berkhamsted, unless residents take action and demand a solution from the powers that be Berkhamsted will lose its sense of community as families will be forced to move out due to the inadequate infrastructure. Antenatal classes have been cut, there are no school places, the swan youth project has had its funding cut and the elderly day centre is to close. Hmmm, is there anything in Berkhamsted for anyone?!
* See coments for yesterday (scroll down)


Re: Mum and children face eviction from council flatTo see last story on this issue, CLICK HERE


From: Barbara Hansen
Cambridgeshire

Views: A large number of your readers will recall the coverage you gave to Ms Julia Davis and her twins, Felicity and Adam,faced with homelessness in the days before Christmas. Strong representations by some noble and committed local Councillors obtained a delay in the final Hearing of Julia's Appeal against being declared Intentionally Homeless. This Appeal was heard on Thursday, 17 January: I bitterly regret to inform readers that the Panel upheld this farcical Decision unanimously. Julia has therefore to be out of the 1-bedroom flat, occupied since 7 November, next Monday, 21 January. She has been given a week's grace,to Monday 28 January, thanks only to the urgent intervention of her solicitors
. May I ask that if any of your readers know of any affordable local properties for rent, within or near Housing Benefit levels? Hemel Hempstead seems to be very short on these and the Buncefield explosion continues to impact upon availability.

From: Gillian Hill
Swansea

Views: Following on from your story of Julia Davis and her 11yr old Twins Felcity and Adam. This was the story of the young family refused accomodation by Dacourn Council after there Landlord sold there property. There were other factors granted. Ms Davis had her hearing on Thurs last and the unsuprisingly the panel rejected her appeal. They still maintain that she has made herself intentionally homeless. Now how they came to this dubious decsion is a mystery to very many people. I hope your readers take very careful notice of the Council decision, because there but for the grace of god anyone could find themselves in Ms Davies and Families position
From: Jacky S
Buckingham

Views: I wish to express my dismay with regard to the decision by Dacorum Borough Council to not allow Ms Davis appeal. This leave Ms Davis as homeless, and having to find somewhere to live at very short notice. I find it incomprehensible that a mother with two children can be thrown out on the street like this. Are we a civilised country or not. The members of the appeals panel do not reflect the opinion of the majority of their voters I am sure.



From: Angela Hutchinson
Tring
Views: Please, please, please will your newspaper hilight the plight of one of your readers who is about to be made homeless with her 2 beautiful twin children. Many people from around the UK are absolutely disgusted at the way that they have been treated. I am not very good at writing but I just hope that I can get my message across to you somehow so that you can help.




Posted on site Friday, January 18

Re: Schools too full for 4-year-oldsTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: freda earl
Berkhamsted
Views: During the planning stage of the Stag Lane site in Berkhamsted High Street(not yet built so there will be more children moving in) it was requested that some of the Section l06 money should go on local schools to help them accomodate the extra children living in the development.

The asnwer was "No, there is plenty of capacity" What has changed so much in less than two years?

Children need local friends. If their school is half an hours drive away on the other side of Hemel they willgrow up very lonely.

How has this been allowed to happen?



Posted on site Thursday, January 17

Re: Plea to save day centreTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: A Berkhamsted resident
Name and address supplied
Views: Has an Environmental Impact Assessment been carried out to determine if this is the best course of action?

I am sure the decision makers have looked long and hard at the acute problems that the NHS faces in Hertfordshire; with the pressing needs to save money whilst delivering a first rate service. From the outside looking in it would seem that those in "control" are reduced to selling off the estate assets to pay for modernisation. Although this may seem a winner in the short term it will have long term implications. The assets that are sold are often as not redeveloped into housing estates and with that a greater need for services!

Dealing with acute problems by cherry picking off assets to keep the service running, one can easily overlook the chronic problems that lay in wait. There has been a steady increase in the population within Dacorum over the years with little increase in the supporting structures. The population is aging, becoming less mobile, many are asset rich but cash poor; the roads are becoming more congested; the cost and reliability of public transport will affect the ability of those most in need of attending appointments/visiting relatives who are in hospital; employees of hospitals are already finding it difficult to get to work (driving stress on congested roads - stress the number one reason for time of work....mmm fewer employees - cancelled appointments); failure within the hospital (electrical, infection outbreaks, closures, etc) will affect a greater population size, I am sure that alternative hospitals may not have the capacity to accept patients (existing and new).

There is alot of emphasis on consultation nowadays, well I live in Dacorum and can honestly say I have not been properly consulted! and I a dare say nor has anybody else? I have signed plenty of petitions, but have never been asked my opinion by the Herts NHS Trust. Do the wishes of the residents of Dacorum count for nothing?


Re: Card cloning check as thefts go upTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Charlotte Debnam
Hemel Hempstead
Views: My card too has been cloned, for the second time. After the first case I was always very careful about where I used my card, covering my hand to put my pin in, looking behind me at ATMs, etc. but it obviously makes no difference. I usually buy petrol with cash but one time at the end of december I had none on me, desperately needed petrol so paid on my debit. A total of £140 was successfully taken, but 7 other attempts to take money out of an ATM in India were tried too! Be very wary of where you use your card, now I only take money out of cashpoints inside buildings and don't pay by card. It's getting ridiculous to be honest. I thought chip and pin was meant to reduce fraud? Utter rubbish, if anything, it's easier!

From: Andrea
Views: I have now had my credit card cloned twice in as many weeks. Most of my transactions relate only to petrol or food from a major supermarket. Fortunately they did not manage to get money although they tried to withdraw cash in Thailand as they did not have the right PIN. I will now be paying cash at all pertol stations and avoiding using my cards in any store I consider a threat! It is a crazy situation that people can get away with this and no-one seems to be able to do anything about it!

Re: Flats in old Kodak Building (See views for yesterday)

From: Ray Campbell
Hemel hempstead

Views: In response to Adele Wilkes below - Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but yes, it is true. A company in Birmingham bought loads of flats in the old Kodak tower and they're flogging them off cheaper than the developer! I don't know if you could get your money back now, it depends if you've paid a deposit i suppose.



Posted on site, Wednesday, January 16


Re:potholes on local roads?CLICK HERE to see Pothole Hotspots


From: Yvonne Laidlaw
BOXMOOR
Views: Re: POTHOLES Lockers Park Lane has many potholes that are continually patched, patches upon patch..... "Safer to School" marking were put down last year outside the front and back entrances to Lockers Park School, at the latter they were put down on a stretch or road that is badly in need of repair.
Sunnyhill Road was resurfaced several years ago. Heath Lane was resurfaced several years ago and speed humps were installed. Last year, the speed humps were removed, the road resurfaced and the humps reinstalled.
When I queried the above with Hertfordshire Highways last September, their response was that unfortunately, due to issues of programming and resources, they had not managed to repair all the roads they had anticipated doing.
The present position at that time was that Lockers Park Road had been added to their list of roads for possible patching works within a local programme of works. Surely in the long run it would be more cost effective to resurface the whole road?

Re flats in old odak building

From: Adele Wilkes
Views: We recently helped our son with his deposit to buy a flat in the old kodak building in Hemel. As they're off plan my husband and i thought it was a good way to get him on the ladder.
Since we bought it, one of his bosses friends has said that he bought a flat in there aswell, but paid nearly £40,000 less than my Paul through some company up in Birmingham!
It appears to be identical to the one he bought and he said that this company are the ones who bought the tower and have them for sale at a lot less than the people my son bought his from. Does anyone know if this is true?



Re: Card cloning check as thefts go upTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: karen
Views: I am a Hemel resident and my debit card has been cloaned and money has tried to be withdrawn just after Christmas in Thailand and South Africa. Luckly my bank stopped the transaction so they couldnt withdraw any money. Still means i have had to cancel my debit card leaving me stranded for 2 weeks, but im just grateful i havent lost any money.



Re: Sign could slow trafficTo see story, CLICK HERE

From: Sarah
Berkhamsted
Views: I think the idea of a speed warning sign in Gravel Path is an excellent idea but perhaps a camera would be more effective. Cars drive far to fast down this road with vans some of the worst offenders.

I have witnessed several 'near misses' when cars take the Meadway corner too fast and on one occasion was seconds away with a pushchair and small baby when a car narrowly escaped crashing into the grass bank on this corner. Luckily on this occasion he managed save the car.

Having had our wing mirror smashed as well by an oncoming fast car it is high time something was done to rectify this increasing problem.


Re Parking charges at local stations

From: Penny
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Anyone else furious at the new car-parking arrangements at local train stations?
We usually buy a quarterly pass which allows a set number of entries and means you get a discount on the daily rate. The new management have announced that the passes will now run for a specific amount of time and if you don't use all the entries by the end of that time, you simply lose them - in other words, you'd effectively be chucking money down the drain.
I work variable hours and don't commute into London every day, but a quarterly pass works for me because I can use it when I need it - and I pay upfront for it, too.
Why should I pay £5 a day for a one-off 'e-ticket' when regular commuters can take advantage of a cheap rate that equates to about £2.50, just because they travel every day?
Why are us flexible workers being discriminated against? I've emailed London Midland on their website and I hope everyone else in my position does the same. I'm fed up with being taken to the cleaners by companies who claim to provide us with a 'service'.




Posted on site, Tuesday January 15


Re:potholes on local roads?CLICK HERE to see Pothole Hotspots

From: Carol
Hemel Hempstead
Views: The state of the roads around Hemel are still appalling, some were repaired last year yes, but others which were just an bad were not done. Why not? Please, please cant something be done. Maylands Avenue especially needs attention with the volume of traffic it takes, cant believe it has not been sorted by now.



Posted on site Monday, January 14

Re: Lights on bikes

From: Ann Hall
Hemel Hempstead
Views: It's about time parents, children and newsagents woke up.

If your child does a paper-round and uses their bike, PLEASE make sure they have lights on the bike, I have seen one child hit and myself only just missed 2 children riding down the middle of the road all in dark clothing no lights and low and behold had the flourescent bag behind them. I just happened to put my main beam on and saw a silver flash so stopped only to find these 2 children just in front of me.

What does it take for people to take care a childs death, so no lights no paper-round 'til they have lights.

It's the motorist who is always blamed, but the children treat it as a game.


Re Overflowing recycling binsCLICK HERE to see story


From: Paula
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I am forced to write to you following the ridiculous collection of our refuse over the last 5 weeks. My problems began on the 9th of January when I placed my green bin OUTSIDE of the boundary of my property thinking that as it hadn't been collected for 4 weeks it must have been that coloured bin that week, alas it was yet again a black bin day and therefore my black bin ( all of 3 steps from the edge of my property) was left and my green bin was still festering when I returned from work.
I rang the Cupids Green waste depot and was told that the recycling services where the refuse is taken was shut over the festive period and that my black bin would be emptied the following day. Thursday and Friday came and went without a collection so again I rang the customer call centre and was told that a collection would be made the following morning.
I knew that no collection would be made and no surprises - no collection.
I have again rung the council and asked to speak to a supervisor, who told me that my green bin would be collected on Wednesday and my black bin next wednesday,this is my usual collection.
I then asked to speak to his manager as that meant I would have waited 5 weeeks for my green bin to be collected and 3 weeks for my black bin. I have also made 2 seperate trips to the refuse site to get rid of surplus waste.
I am now left waiting for an inspector to come past my property to check how far from the boundary my bins are kept, is this not a total waste of tax payers money? I think that the fact we have to fight for our refuse to be collected is an outrage and something needs to be done.



Posted on site Sunday, January 13

Re Buncefield

From: John Hall
Nash mills
Views: I think the planned reopening of the Buncefield site for fuel storage is very wrong. Whilst I believe in the principle of lightening not striking the same place twice, and have no objection to fuel storage itself, I believe it would be an insult to all the victims of the blast for any company to start making a profit from the site before compensation has been paid to the many individuals and businesses who suffered and, in many cases, are still suffering as a result of the blast over two years ago.




Posted on site Saturday, January 12

Re Teenager convicted in death crash caseCLICK HERE to see story

From: Anon
Views: That road is notorious for having serious accidents - but before we rush off and petition for more speed bumps, Gatso cash machines and other nuisance time-wasting traffic calming measures, lets remember that it's bad or incompetent driving that causes serious accidents not simply bends in the road.


Re: No solution in sight for out-of-control parkingCLICK HERE to see story

From: Norman Cutting
BERKHAMSTED
Views: Parking problems in Berkhamsted?
Never. Bless my soul, in the 60+ years I've never known anything else.
There must be an election in the offing for the new Town Council to suddenly spot the problem.
As I've said in the past, enforcing the existing parking regulations is the only answer - but that might mean upsetting the odd voter.
It isn't rocket science to simply solve a problem that everyone (and I mean everyone, including those who park illegally on the footway) knows exists but 'it's not my fault' - then whose fault is it?



Posted on site Friday, January 11

Re decision to axe character Reg Hollis from The Bill

From: Dave the Bill fan
Hemel

Views: Reg Hollis axed from The Bill. They can't do it. Never. Do something, start one of your online petitions. Help us Billites to survive....

Re Overflowing recycling binsCLICK HERE to see story

From: Gary Sturdy
Hemel Hempstead.
Views: My girlfriends green bin was full on christmas day. Why can the council not work this out, it is they who tell us that all paper based waste such as card etc must go in thisd bin to be recycled. Then there is the organic waste such as the christmas dinner left overs. Then theres the food that is put back in the fridge only to be thrown out later in the week. When a family open up all there christmas presents what would be left? A pile of paper based waste such as card and packaging. It's not rocket science but obviously beyond the simple minds in the council offices.


Re:potholes on local roads?CLICK HERE to see Pothole Hotspots

From: Lin
Tring
Views: Brook Street in Tring. Is this road ever going to be a road or just potholes. There are so many its impossible to count them all. Some are filled in, some are just left. The road is made up of so many different types of tarmac its like a patchwork quilt. You have to drive a zero miles an hour to prevent damage to the car. We pay council tax and road tax and yet nothing is done. So come on Dacorum make Tring a nice place to drive.



Posted on site Thursday, January 10

Re Overflowing recycling binsCLICK HERE to see story

From: alison
boxmoor
Views: Discussing green bins not being collected for over 1 mth.
Although we have no grass cuttings etc at this time of year, we have copious amounts of cardboard packaging that takes up far more space in the bin. Also food waste & peelings are rotting & smelling dreadful.
I believe a lot of people will resort to putting these items in the black bins rather than having the green bin overflowing. Not really the right encouragement to recycle is it ??


Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story

From: Mary
Boxmoor
Views: My card was cloned between xmas and new yesrs day, I had a call from the Barclays fraud squad. An attempt to withdraw a large sum of money from the acc on new years day was declined as I had used the card kess than 10 hours previously in Hemel, therefore making my ability to be in Thailand somewhat unlikely unless I was Santa and had time travel ability. Barclays suspected fraud/cloning instantly.


Re Popular nightspot not busy enoughCLICK HERE to see story

From: Emma Smith
Boxmoor
f Views: Re Jumpin Jaks

Thank goodness the place has closed. Perhaps now the night clubs will have less trade, seeing as a lot of trade was from people going to the clubs after jaks closed for the evening, and hopefully they will eventually close too. I can only hope !



Posted on site Wednesday, January 9

Re Overflowing recycling binsCLICK HERE to see story

From: Alan Haire
Grovehill
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Concerning the lack of green wheely bin collections over the Christmas period.
We are a family of four, we have an average amount of waste and we're pro recycling. The green wheely bins in Washington Avenue haven't been emptied since the 6th of December 2007 and are not due to be emptied until the 17th of January 2008, thats SIX WEEKS!!! Our bin has been full up for the last three weeks.
Do the council officials who make up this ridiculous plan not have bins? Can they not see all the overflowing bins on the streets of Hemel? This subject makes me so angry especialy as i've just "donated" another £117 to the council coffers.




Re: No solution in sight for out-of-control parkingCLICK HERE to see story

From Brian Johnson
Berkhamsted
Views: Roads such as Charles Street, Cross Oak Road and other narrow streets in the Berkhamsted Conservation Area have essentially become single track thoroughfares. Has the time not come to introduce full time parking restrictions down one side of such roads and "Residents only parking" on the opposite side? In line with many new developments, I suggest, each residence should be given one Resident's permit free of charge. Charges should be levied for additional permits and such charges should be significant if they are for a third (or subsequent) permit. These charges would cover the additional cost of policing the scheme. In any event, additional permits should be issued only where space allows.

From: Lyn Taylor

Views: The article underneath your header 'out-of-control parking' about the increased charges at Berkhamsted Railway station rather explains why the density of parking has increased so much.

The council passing planning consent for houses with four/five bedrooms and either no garage or totally insuffient parking, only exacerbates an already dire situation.

Coming out of North Road into Charles Street is a dangerous game and not helped by large vehicles parking at the end of the road. However, nothing will be done and we just join the 'grumpies' by complaining.


Re TV reception problems CLICK HERE to see story

From: Ray
hemel hempstead
Views: TV reception seems ok today,yesterday no BBC channels at all, it does vary, hopefully they have at last rectified the problem on the Kodak Tower, lt has been ongoing for a few weeks now.
UPDATE 6.30pm: Views: l think l spoke too soon, all BBC channels have disappeared again this evening, as has film 4 etc, Digital TV reception is absolutely naff since building work on Kodak tower.

Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story


From: MELANIE BURKE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
Views: I VERY RARELY USE THE GARAGE IN HEMEL BUT BOUGHT A PACKET OF CIGERETTES LATE ONE NIGHT USING MY DEBIT CARD WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN CLONED.



Name: Kim
Views: Yes my card has been cloned on New Years Day!
It was cloned and money taken out in Thailand.

From: Paula
highfield
hemel hempstead
Views: Just received a letter from my bank asking me if i was in Thailand on New years eve as i had £265 withdrawn from my bank also, this was after using the jet garage on Queensway, its about time something was done its suppose to be safer with chip and pin but obviously not !!

Posted on site Tuesday, January 8

Re Cavendish School Re-union

From: ruth
Views: a school reunion has been arranged for the class of 98,cavendish school,hemel hempstead.meeting at the fishery in pub,7pm on febuary 9th so anyone who was at school in this yr,please come and join in the fun and catch up on the years.



Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story

From: James Coles
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I also had my card cloned in December. I used it at one petrol station ******* and a shop in town. Luck be it I only had about £300 in the account and they had tried to spend £800 at an online clothes shop whcih flagged up the banks fraud department but they did get away with £170 in a online shoe shop and some other smaller amounts


From: mark mcinally
Hemel HEMPSTEAD

Views: I had withdraws made on my nationwide account on 27th/28th/29th of december, all done in china, i was told by nationwide my card had been cloned from one of the petrol stations i had used. over £800.00 taken, What a start to the new year.

From: Andrew
Views: I have 2 credit cards. I rarely use them, but in early December used them to buy petrol . Both my cards have been cloned and someone tried to use them in Bangkok, Thailand. Luckily, the credit card companies rejected the payment requests.

From: Kevin Smith
Hemel
Views: I also have had my card cloned since using a petrol station. money has been attempted to be removed from my account from ATM in China and Thailand.
The sooner something is done to stop these parasites the better.


Posted on site Monday, January 7

Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story

From: Bryan Redman
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I too had money withdrawn from my Halifax account on 28/12/07, from an ATM in Thailand. I received an e-mail from a friend who advised that they had also been a victim, having only used their card once in the last 3 months, at the Petrol Garage on *********. When I checked my statement, I note that I too used my card at the petrol station at the beginning of December.



From: Emma Baker
Tring
I went to withdraw some money from my account on new years eve & was only able to take out £20. I knew something was wrong so logged onto the internet the following to day & found almost £600 had been taken out. The transactions said China.
The only petrol garage I use in Hemel is the one in *********..


From: Peter Scrimshaw
Hemel Hempstead

Views: Card Cloning Scam I am also a victim of this scam. £ 910 was taken out of my bank account last week in ******* Coventry in several transactions. When I reported it to the police this morning, I was told that a petrol station in ********* was probably the cause. This is could be true as I used this recently. If the police know this, what action is being taken by them.


From: richard
hemel hempstead

Views: Checked my online banking to find out nearly £700 missing on boxing day. The money was taken out in Sri Lanka, a few hours after i filled up with petrol at an independent filling station, unlike previous emails it looks like the culprits have moved to another petrol station but still in Hemel.

Re:potholes on local roads?CLICK HERE to see Pothole Hotspots

From: Richard L
Berkhamsted
Views: POTHOLE REPORT: A41 southbound between Bourne End & HH junctions. Previously-repaired hole in the inside lane just before the half-mile signpost for the HH junction has opened up again.

Re: Taxpayers' money

From: meryl mason
Berkhamsted
Views: I am fed up with the way tax payers money is being wasted. Nearly every day there is a new example of the ridiculous ways our money is being spent. Only recently it was reported that £500 million has been spent on translating street names into other languages, at the same time a woman was in the newspaper being refused the right to pay for top up drugs to treat her cancer. Surely she should have been prescribed these drugs on the NHS and with less waste of our money that could be a reality. If I decided to spend my money on a new car but then couldn't pay my bills I would be in trouble but this is what the government is doing with our money, spending on unnecessary items and then not being able to provide a full service in all areas they are resposible for.
I always thought that tax payers money was to be used for health, education, armed forces and the police, all these areas are under funded.
I have petitioned the government to stop this waste if you agree that this waste needs to be stopped please go on line to the address below and sign my petition.
Thank you
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/wastingtax/






Posted on site: Sunday, January 6

Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story

From: Kevin Dowling
Hemel Hempstead
Views: Just went to use my card today and found that it has been cloned. Phoned Barclaycard to be told "someone tried to use it in a cash machine in Ghana"

I only use my card for fuel and parking and never let it out of my sight how did it get Cloned????

See many more comments early today and Friday/Saturday



Re:potholes on local roads?CLICK HERE to see Pothole Hotspots


From: mr and mrs howard
woodhall farm
hemel hempstead
Views: my son had a motorbike accident last june due to a pot hole in white hart road the pot hole wasnt visible as it was raining very heavy and the pot hole was full of water,he came off his bike and skidded into on coming coming traffic which narrowly missed him fortunately he had only a few scratches but his bike was a right off with £1200 worth of damage.

i contacted hertforshire highways the next day to inform the of what had happened and had to write a detailed description to start the proceed of making a claim for his bike just before christmas we recieved a letter stating that they had repaired the pot hole, which they havent, and that they wont pay for the repair for his bike as no other complaints had been logged for that pothole and that a inspection had been carried out four weeks previously.

i have photographic evidence of the pot hole the day after my sons accident and after i recieved the letter at christmas time to prove that it hasnt been repaired i have been to citizens advice and contacted mike pennings office but they both state that because no one has complained about the pot hole that there is nothing we can do but at the end of the day there was a hole in the road that shouldnt have been there and it shouldnt make any difference if we were the first to complain about it.

for a hole the size of a dinner plate and three inches deep how can a pot hole of that size appear in the road with in four weeks of inspection its totally impossible the inspector has said the hole has been fully repaired but it hasnt so they must have been looking at the wrong hole and repaired that one instead but i have photographic evidence that they have not

so why should we pay our taxes for our roads in hemel when 90% of them have not been repaired and are full of potholes and cracks im sure other people have complained so why is nothing being done is it going to take for someone to lose their life before herts highways wake up and do something about the state of our roads

Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story

From: paula
hemel hempatead

Views: someone tried to use my card in india over christmas but luckly enough i had no money in there! i had also used the petrol garage in *********. hope this gets sorted out cheeky sods


From: J Taylor
Views: Yes my card has been cloned whilst in Hemel Hempstead. I reason to believe it is a particular petrol station. They tried to take

Re: Re post tampered withCLICK HERE to see report

From: Yvette Witney
Nash Mills
Views: I've just seen the article regarding the mail being opened and damaged, I would like to add myself to list of people effected.
About 3 weeks ago I recieved my credit card bill and had been opened across the top with a sharp cutter so that it wouldn't look obvious. I contacted the credit company but assured me that nothing could be used without having other card details which they do not put on the statements.



Posted on site January 5

Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story

From: tony
Views: yes my card has been cloned somebody has taken about £200 from my account ,it has been traced to Bangcock , I only noticed it had happend when my statement showed the money had been taken from a cash machine on new years day which I thought funny due to the fact that I never left my house on that day.
My card has now been cancelled by my bank and im waiting for a new one.
The only places I have used my card recently are Tesco and CO OP cash machines and the petrol station on *********.

Posted on site January 4

Re: Has your card been cloned?CLICK HERE to see original story


From: Sue Costin
Views: My card was cloned at the petrol station in hemel hempstead. I had money withdrawn from my account in Thailand on new years day.

From: Lysa Bowell
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I had a call from my Bank yesterdaty checking recent transactions as my card was used in the UK on Monday and Yesterday. Someone had tried to use my card on Wednesday in Malaysia for £152.00. Luckily the bank declined the transcation. It could have been worse.

Last year £3000.00 was taken from mine and my husbands account in America, It left us with nothing for a few days and a new baby!

From: Mrs Brenda Welman
Hemel Hempstead
Views: I have had +- £ 700.00 cash withdrawals from my account, They were all done in China on 1/1/8 + 2/1/8. When I went in to HSBC in Marlows today to sort it out, they told me that they have had at least 20 cases. Before I even started talking to them they aske me if I had used ********* service station, which I had on 13/12/07.
I always thought you were safer paying by card than carrying cash around.


Re: Pigsty car park in protected building rowCLICK HERE to see report

From Norman Cutting,
Berkhamsted.
Views: Regarding your story about the multi-story car park.
I made a film about Hemel in the mid 1970's which included the mural.
Sadly the Council had already stuck the lamp-post bang in front of it (I
think - I must have a look!), spoiling the effect.
Now, if the lighting column was moved, it would be worth preserving.


Re: Re post tampered withCLICK HERE to see report

From: lisa sear
Views: I too have had many problems with the postal service with things I have posted going missing and also things being sent to me never arriving. Examples include my father posting me birthday cards from himself and one he forwarded from my nan, both of which never arrived, I ordered a game online that never arrived but fortunately the company sent out a replacement and I have sent paperwork off to the Department of Work and Pensions and they have never received it and this has been on more than one occasion. It has been going on throughtout the year and in December I took it upon myself to contact Royal mail through their website, I gave all the detail's required and waited for a response. A few days passed and I had an email back requesting the same details I had already provided. I replied to this email on the 19th December but am still waiting for a response. I think the service they provide is just getting worse with time, I feel I am unable to trust my post will ever reach its destination unless I pay more to have it sent recorded or special delivery. I should not have to do this each time I want to post something and they really need to do something about all these problems.

Re: Pedestrian Crossing on A41 in Northchurch.CLICK HERE to see story

From: Rob B
Northchurch

Views: Re: A crossing in Northchurch I agree that a crossing is needed across Northchurch High Street, but the main problem is the drivers, not the road. Drivers are frequently ignoring the 30 speed limit along the narrow stretch between the George and Dragon and the Cricket Ground, and driving at greatly excessive speeds, disregarding both the "school" and the "elderly persons" warning signs. This has resulted in damage to parked vehicles, an accident which wrote off one vehicle such was the speed involved, and one hit-and-run, in the past 6 weeks alone. If drivers can't take responsibility to drive properly in the area then it's time for other measures - traffic calming, a Police presence (I shan't hold my breath) or, speed cameras, but the council tell me they can't install one until somebody gets killed. Oh the irony...



Re Thanks to Hemel Hospital
From: Jill Manning
Hemel hempstead
Views: Stuart Ward - West Herts Hospital

I would just like to thank all the staff on Stuart Ward who looked after my mum, Jean Wallis, with such care and attention. Everybody was so kind even though they were under so much pressure with obvious lack of staff. They all worked so hard from the minute they got in until they went home but always had a smiling face for all the patients. Their continued support and dedication made my mum's stay bearable and I thank them all so much.

Also I must point out that working full time and living in Hemel made my life so much easier when visiting her as I could spend a lot of time with her. I kept thinking what if she was in Watford my time would be limited that I could spend with my mum, surely we should consider this and the fact we are a huge town, why should we be without our own hospital. The people that are making theses decisions probably have private health care but I have worked and lived in Hemel all my life and surely its not too much to ask to have a local hospital!!!!

Regards Jill Manning


Posted on site January 3

Re:potholes on local roads?CLICK HERE to see Pothole Hotspots

From: joe delaney
gadebridge
Views: after looking at local views over 2007 the subject of potholes is still high on peoples agenda,after being contacted by our local labour councillor i brought to her attention the dangerous state of the roads in the maylands avenue estate,she seemed to think the estate had become like this after the buncefield fire! before this and at this present time i still ask my driving school pupils to try and steer around the potholes as they damage your car and may cause you to loose control of your vehicle,when will our local roads look like they are in a so called wealthy area? go to places like leicestershire see the difference and then tell me we live in a better more wealthy and better cared for area!


Posted on Site January 2

Re post tampered withCLICK HERE to see report

From: Gian Carlo Scarsi
Nash Mills,
Views:,

Following up your recent news story about tampered mail items in the run up to Christmas, I would like to point out that I also received tampered items which had been clearly opened and partially damaged in the mail. In particular, a recorded delivery item from France containing important contractual documents had been delivered late, damaged, and with the envelope clearly cut across and open (not even re-sealed with those notorious RM stickers). This was a recorded delivery item with signed receipt that Royal Mail did not even bother to send back to La Poste in France, for which the sender had spent almost EUR 6 in postage. Just for my privilege of receiving a sub-standard service by ever-declining Royal Mail.