Readers' Letters: Pantomime politics at North Yorkshire Council

Readers’ Letters is a free weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

We received this pithy comment following a story about councillors walking out of a major North Yorkshire Council budget meeting 

Maybe now they are realising how we have all felt for years.

They could have their own pantomime.

Vince Doherty, Harrogate

This letter was in response to the on-going legal battle over Harrogate's Station Gateway project which continues to upset many: 

I see the BBC have taken up the news of Gateway. As a person with no voice in the matter I want to add my support of local businesses who don't want so much money spent on proposed project.

As I have said before money needs spending to make all pavements made safe for all users. As a disabled, elderly person I am prevented going into town to shop or visit a cafe/restaurant easily.

I note again on the picture of proposed Gateway there is no longer disabled parking!

I see the picture shows a person on a scooter exiting James Street! 

Well getting to said street is virtually impossible with lack of dropped kerbs and uneven pavements.

Ann Townson,  Harrogate 

 Ian Brown, though, posted this on the Stray Ferret. 

This scheme wasn’t just about pandering to businesses, it was about marketing the town as a more welcoming place for people. Helping connect the town with the ability to make use of public transport. 

Thanks to local businesses and their legal challenge that has been removed. If the sum ambition of businesses is potholes and parking then heaven help the long term viability of the economy.

Ian Brown

We also received the following letter about the town centre project.

Putting the rights and wrongs of the Gateway scheme to one side, it does not sit well with me that a multi-millionaire businessman like Chris Bentley can meddle in local government with his relentless and spurious lawsuits. He might think they are effective but all he is doing is damaging democracy and trust in decision making. 

It's a pity Carl Les and Keane Duncan can't be stronger in publicly standing up to him. Perhaps they harbour hopes of him donating to the hard-up Conservatives in the future. 

Mr Bentley - if you want to make a positive difference, stop hiding behind your expensive lawyers and stand for Harrogate Town Council.

Thomas Barrett, Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

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