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Titirangi Roundabout
AS A resident of Woodlands Park Road for more than 40 years, I was delighted to see your article ('Flattened by dangerous pancake', April 5) highlighting the dangers of the ridiculous new roundabout. I have never heard of accidents at the intersection before the roundabout was installed but now there has been one serious one. If the traffic people and police want to do something about the boy racers in the area, they need to use mobile speed cameras to stop them, not the "calming" device, which hasn't had any effect. You still hear cars roaring round the area, day and night and my neighbours have had their hedge crashed into twice since the roundabout was installed.
Instead of inconveniencing the majority of drivers in the district, the Council and police need to deal with the lawbreakers.- Anne Wilson, Titirangi
I couldn't agree more with your readers on the pancake roundabout issue.
In my correspondence over the past 5-10 years I have noticed a big change when Auckland Transport took over from Auckland Council in the management of local roads. Where previously it was a painful process that eventually got results now nothing happens at all. I have reported poor road repair, stupid traffic light phasing changes, illegal parking and poor signage. None of which have been resolved and most requests go unreplied. On the rare occasion that I get a phone call I am told that "we don't have the money to replace road markings" or "we don't see that cycling pinch point as a problem".
What I do see, however, is a vigilante approach by the public, with bus drivers pushing wing mirrors in on cars parked in bus lanes, cyclists issuing "tickets" on the windows of cars and drivers ignoring those stupid red no right turn arrows. - William Hicks, Remuera
Rates inequity
It does seem unfair that farmers like Cliff Deery ('High price to pay', April 5) would have to pay so much in rates when they are only drawing in $40,000 on the farm. A farm that's been in the family for years should be kept in the family, and it seems he is disadvantaged by the fact it is such a big piece of land, that has obviously risen in value.
I liken it to the rates faced by elderly people living in properties whose value has increased dramatically over the years, but their income has dropped too as they go on Super. They still have to pay the same rates and the council recognised this issue when they brought in the rates rebates scheme specifically for people on a low income.
It's not much but at least it recognises rates levels can be inequitable. Perhaps something could be done for farmers like Mr Deery? - R Jones, Manurewa
Looking for friend
I wonder if your readers are able to assist us in tracing a friend with whom we have lost contact. We, along with a group of like-minded Scouts and Guides, met at Southampton University in the early Sixties. Many of us still meet up annually in the New Forest but we have lost touch with Peter Stephens.
We know that after graduating he trained as a solicitor, emigrated to New Zealand, married Charmaine and that they had two sons. The last address we have for him was in Papatoetoe but we believe he has since moved and Christmas cards are unacknowledged now.
We are coming to Auckland in early November this year and would be delighted to meet up with him again. If any of your readers are able to help us re-establish contact with Pete we would be most grateful. They could email me on vandp@btinternet.com - Peter Jackson
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