Readers have their say on buses, Freeview, plus a 1969 view of Wombourne

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Wombourne seen from above in July 1969, with its familiar streets and rows of post-war homes stretching out across the village – a glimpse of a community changing rapidly in the post-war years. | Express & Star archive

placeholder image — PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Wombourne seen from above in July 1969, with its familiar streets and rows of post-war homes stretching out across the village – a glimpse of a community changing rapidly in the post-war years. | Express & Star archive

Buses, rural transport, the EU and Freeview are among the issues sparking debate in today’s letters

Let our buses be colourful

If I asked 100 people waiting at the bus stop, what they look for.

Here is the result:

Ninety-nine (including Uncle Norbert) said they looked for the number and the destination.

One looked for a purple bus (ie West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker).

On looking at the present buses, yes the red buses colour is fading, but the grey buses look brand new.

So why spend thousands of pounds of rate payers money on a colour change?

We live in a multi national country so why not have multi coloured buses?

I understand our new PM is giving more powers and money to our mayors.

I wonder what hairbrained scheme they will think of next?

R Page, Penn

No transport for our rural areas

As yet another bus service is axed, we must ask why people don't use buses any longer in the rural areas, and the answer is that they no longer serve their original purpose, to transport folk to places they need to be, at the right time, and a car does, leaving the elderly, disabled, and non-drivers isolated, and dependant on the good will of neighbours.

In 1933 Picklescott was served by two local bus companies, but by 1960 there was just one bus per week, to Shrewsbury and back.

By 1963 that had gone as well, and unless one had a car the only answer was to move to a town, and many did, to join the newcomers from the South or West Midlands. 90% of the old local families have gone, died, or moved to the towns.

W F Kerswell, Picklescott

EU divorce bill at an end

Peter Steggles wants to know how Andy Burnham is going to pay for his new policy announcements.

Well here is £8 billion plus for starters.

On 5 March 2021 a national newspaper carried an article that said our leaving bill for exiting the EU was £50 billion spread over six years ending in 2026. Strange Boris never never mentioned that this was part of his "oven ready" deal. It now means that the average £8.3 billion a year that we have been paying ends this year. That gives the Treasury a nice bonus to start 2027.

Name and address supplied

Freeview threat to our viewing

So sad that Freeview could go. It would mean the end to TV schedules. I enjoy planning my viewing each day.

Mark Pickett, Bridgnorth

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