I AM sorry if Cllr F John Smith thinks the media is concentrating on the bad news rather than the good, but we have known for many years that our facilities would need to be upgraded to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and, of co

I AM sorry if Cllr F John Smith thinks the media is concentrating on the bad news rather than the good, but we have known for many years that our facilities would need to be upgraded to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act and, of course, it is good that it has now been decided to take action to upgrade two of the toilets in the town.

However, a great many more people are now living in Royston so presumably the council tax being received by North Herts District Council is greatly increased, so it is not obvious to me why there are insufficient funds available to retain the bus station toilets.

Besides the service buses, many coaches, which previously picked up and set down at the town hall car park are now doing so at the bus station instead, apparently following a complaint from a resident living near the town hall car park.

DAVID ALLARD

Chilcourt

Royston

The leader of North Herts District Council, Royston's own Cllr F John Smith, offers some good news for users of the public loos in Royston.

We're closing one, upgrading one and face-lifting one. Not to worry that the toilets at the bus station are going, it's not possible to upgrade them as they are not adaptable to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.

Does Cllr Smith not know there are loos available that do meet the needs of the Act and could be installed at the bus station?

Let's hope no disabled passenger on a bus stopping in Royston gets caught short, they'll just have to sit tight or "dash" across to Fish Hill, how convenient. Or is Cllr Smith about to propose a relocation of the bus station to Fish Hill?

What does Cllr Smith, as the elected representative of the people of Meridian ward, think of these proposals; he should always put their views first.

As with car parking, where he supports the increase in charges and presumably the consequent increase in on-road parking in his ward, he appears to put his position as council leader before his representative position.

Cllr ROD KENNEDY

Heathfield

Royston

ISN'T it just typical of councils that because the bus station conveniences are inaccessible to a small number of potential users the entire public must be prevented from using the toilets.

Very democratic, I don't think.

Most perverse is the council's inconsiderate disregard for the many elderly and slightly disabled bus passengers who of all people most need the bus station facilities.

Councillors who blithely cite Fish Hill as an equal alternative should realise that for these people, walking there costs considerable effort and a significant part of their limited time in town.

Having driven buses into or around Royston for many years, I know that the bus station is the only place where bus drivers can relieve themselves en route. Using Fish Hill is not an option.

However, the bus station toilets are to be avoided if at all possible. One often finds drug-users or their paraphernalia in there; the washbasin tap is unusable and the floor is constantly awash throughout with urine.

OLIVER PETROVSKY

High Street

Melbourn