New A46 flyover is ‘unnecessary’ as junction works better without lights

THE NEW flyover on the A46/A428 junction is in my mind rather unneccessary because if the traffic lights had been removed from quarter of the way round the original island, traffic would have flowed far better.

There is just four sets on to the island working to allow traffic on to the island and away before letting the next lot on to the island and so on.

To stop the traffic quarter way round the island just blocks the through flow, with heavy goods vehicles stretching across all lanes.

How you are supposed to get in the right lane, I do not know.

The Tollbar island is the same – a crazy system.

KJ Clarke

Wyken

‘Too many residents fly-tipping outside their homes’

COUN Ed Ruane is calling for an online portal to report fly-tipping.

However, there is already an online portal including an interactive map and a facility to upload photos

He says the council cannot address this or prevent it on its own and it needs the support of residents and the local community.

Unfortunately, it is often residents who dump rubbish outside their own homes.

Fly-tipping happens on the same streets in Foleshill week-after-week.

The council should carry out a public information campaign to let residents know the law on fly-tipping and how to get rid of waste and unwanted items.

What’s more, the council could look at weekly bin collection trials in the worst offending areas.

In addition, the council could look at introducing bulky waste and recycling trucks like those in Birmingham.

The council can do more to tackle fly-tipping but they appear to be taking a relaxed approach.

Ian A Rogers

Leader, Coventry Citizens Party

Will you be part of St John Ambulance’s ‘Futuremakers’ scheme?

FUTUREMAKERS Health Citizens is a community initiative delivered by St John Ambulance and funded by Standard Chartered Bank.

It aims to reach and train nearly 1,700 young people, aged between 16 and 25, in a wide range of essential employability and leadership skills with a specific health focus.

It forms a key part of St John’s strategic goal that more young people than ever will be qualified and ready to be active Health Citizens, role models and next generation health professionals.

We are now delighted to be opening up the scheme in several new areas, including Coventry.

Participants will be guided through a programme of activity and will develop a project which will help tackle a social or economic issue affecting their local community.

Initial participants in the scheme have praised the impact it has had.

The team here would love to hear from young people living in the area who are interested in participating in this exciting initiative.

Email health.citizens@sja.org.uk for more or to register for Futuremakers Health Citizens.

Colin Tonge

Volunteering Development Officer, St John Ambulance

Time to put the disfigured in one of the ‘good guy’ roles

It is an exciting time for movie goers in Coventry as the latest Bond film has finally reached cinemas.

But the release of No Time To Die also means the return of seeing scars, burns or marks as shorthand for villainy on the big screen.

The daily reality of living with a disfigurement or visible difference is contending with staring and comments.

Sadly, for too many, experiencing abuse and hate is also a regular occurrence.

Research shows only one in five people with a visible difference has seen a character who looks like them cast as the hero in a film or on TV. This combination of the disfigured villain trope – and the lack of representation in any other roles – fuels and legitimises the trolling and harassment of people with visible differences.

Changing Faces campaigners have written an open letter to Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, calling for the next installment to include a positive character with a visible difference.

We hope the Coventry Observer will back this call for change.

Catherine Deakin, Deputy Chief Executive

Changing Faces

Breast cancer patients ‘are not alone’ in these lonely times

I AM acutely aware of the shattering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the emotional wellbeing of people with breast cancer.

News of a diagnosis can be a lonely experience, and the pandemic has at times exacerbated this, denying people the chance to be with loved ones.

We’ve seen a sharp rise in calls to our Helpline and emails to our Ask Our Nurses service from people struggling emotionally.

Many say the loneliness they’ve felt living with breast cancer during the pandemic has been the hardest emotional impact to cope with negatively impacting on their mental health.

As we look ahead to a ‘new normal’, we must acknowledge the loneliness legacy facing people who’ve lived with breast cancer through the pandemic and commit to addressing it.

This Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to remind everyone affected by breast cancer that we’re always with you, in every way we can.

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, our Online Support Services are one click away for anyone after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Whether you’re a younger woman, adjusting to life after treatment, or living with incurable secondary breast cancer, our tailored support provides a confidential, safe space to connect with others and access specialist information.

Find out more about Younger Women Together, Moving Forward, Someone Like Me, and Living With Secondary Breast Cancer at: breastcancernow.org/online-services.

Jane Murphy

Breast Cancer Now Clinical Nurse Specialist

EDITOR’S COMMENT

THE KILLING of Sir David Amess on Friday has shocked everybody around the country.

It is clear something needs to be done to protect MPs at their weekly surgeries, such as a police presence – as there is at many other publicly accessible events.

What should not be done is restricting these important consultations to phone calls or online.

That would be a victory for those trying to destroy the proud democracy and freedoms we enjoy and have a right to.