Reader voices concerns over 'tacky nylon flags' on A49, and Prince Philip visits a Telford estate in a 1972 picture throwback

Flags childish and upsetting

The proliferation of brand-new tacky nylon flags on the A49 between Bayston Hill and Meole Brace is a major distraction and road hazard - particularly for someone who finds them upsetting and reminiscent of some banana republic or totalitarian state.

How could our great country have allowed this childish playground behaviour?

There is nothing that they represent on that section of road other than bombastic nationalism.

I know people who find them intimidating.

Those hoisting these flags should think carefully before they need hospital treatment or social care and all the people who have been doing this work have gone elsewhere to more welcoming countries. As an environmentalist I can’t help noticing that all the plastic ties from previous flags lower down the lamp posts are being left in situ, they will deteriorate into micro plastics unless removed and anyway they look a mess. The very fact that this is being done in a clandestine way (under cover of darkness?) and with undisclosed funding should be enough to raise the alarm.

These people have no mandate - it would be wise to stop them sooner rather the later.

Vicky Barnes, Condover

Shirehall process is a real concern

The news that at a Shropshire Council meeting the officers of the authority expected the elected members to rubber-stamp their plan to demolish the Shirehall is cause for concern.

The fact that our councillors received details of this proposition only 24 hours before the meeting raises serious questions as to who is actually calling the shots at Shropshire Council.

Mercifully, thanks to opposition councillors combining to defeat the motion, the future of the Shirehall will be subject to further consideration..

Whether or not one likes the look of Shirehall is not the issue. The facts of the matter are that it is less than 60 years old, having been officially opened by the late Queen in 1967.

Amongst many other facilities it contains a debating chamber with the dignity that befits our county. No way could the Shrewsbury Guildhall in which council meetings are currently held be said to be a comparable substitute or even fit for purpose.

With further local authority amalgamations mooted the demolition of an iconic building that would be such an obvious choice for a combined Staffordshire, Telford and Shropshire Council would be yet another scandalous waste of public money.

Those of us who live in Bridgnorth are only too well aware of what has happened to the 20th century purpose-built Westgate offices of the former Bridgnorth District Council which, incidentally, included a well-appointed magistrates court.

They stood abandoned for years and have subsequently been just a huge pile of rubble - a sad reflection of the way in which our local democracy is heading !

Christopher Gill, Ludlow MP 1987-2001, Bridgnorth

Puzzled by A5 enthusiasm

I am a little puzzled by the enthusiasm for upgrading the A5 dual carriageway from Cluddley to Preston Boats, to full motorway status.

As a van driver who uses that road almost daily, I reckon it leaves little to be desired in its current state. It is straight, smooth and very rarely congested.

But various local politicians and business leaders are convinced that visitors are put off visiting Shrewsbury, purely by the blue line on the map showing the M54 turning a different colour as soon as it gets west of Wellington.

Is Shrewsbury's economic fortune really in the hands of people who make such shallow assessments when planning their travel, or selecting a business location or entertainment venue?

Simon Hartley, High Ercall

Thank-you to Peter Rhodes

Having been puzzled about Peter’s absence since October, the recent front page included dreadful news.

For as long as I can remember, the highlight of the paper has been his daily column.

It has been full of anecdotes, observations on all sorts of subjects and often hilarious takes on all aspects of modern day life.

We even heard about his holidays in the Devon resort of Beer and further afield, and stories of his grandson Ruben growing up.

Peter is a fine journalist with a wealth of experience.

Quite simply he is a total professional and whilst we never met, like many other people who read the paper, I think I know him.

All I can say is a very big thank you for all of the stories over the years.

Ian Cole, Midlands

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