WHY do some now find tram lines in Newcastle a problem? For over 60 years pedestrians and owners of horses, carts, bicycles, tricycles, prams and more respected the tram lines using common sense without helmets, training courses or government intervention. Today, where is the common sense and self-responsibility? Don't lock yourself into the pedals, only cross lines on an acute angle and dismount as safety dictates. I don't believe it's all that hard.
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Richard Barnett, Hallidays Point
THE tragedy involving the light rail ('Call for safer roads after cyclist's death', Newcastle Herald 12/7) highlights how badly designed the tracks are. Trams in Melbourne have considerably less of a gap between the rail and the road, and I believe the lack of dedicated cycle lanes are examples of a very poorly designed yet very expensive use of public money, seemingly for the use of a very small part of the community.
Greg Blue, Warners Bay
WOW, Ash Barty is showing she will be one of Australia's greatest sporting champions. Her attitude to defeat at Wimbledon ('Classy Barty gracious in Wimbledon defeat', Newcastle Herald 10/7) is right up there with the best in political and sporting history. I'm a fan. Who would have thought one so young could show maturity that even an old bugger like me can take lessons?
Steve Larsen, East Seaham
IN my opinion the smiling faces at the leash-free dog park at Soldiers Point ('Park where dogs roam free', Port Stephens Examiner 11/7) were for the rejection of the council's proposed rate rise ('Port rate hike denied', Newcastle Herald 14/5).
John Bonnyman, Fern Bay
THE latest Vatican statement on the inviolability of the confessional seal ('Blood oath', Newcastle Herald 8/7) does not recognise the right of the sexually-abused child to be protected from further abuse. Whether the confessor learns of the abuse from the penitent, from the child or from a third party, I believe the seal still denies the child protection from further abuse. Surely, after all that has been endured and suffered, the children must be protected.
Mark Porter, New Lambton
IN my opinion Tony Butterfield ('Time to hasten slowly', Newcastle Herald 12/7) is dodging the obvious. It's done in US football, cricket, baseball, ice hockey, jockeys, all motor and non-motor racing, industrial environments and on it goes. Helmets are the only answer. It has to be.
Ian Jurd, Tea Gardens
CORRESPONDENT Brad Hill, in numerous letters, has expressed his doubts regarding climate change. Taking Tocal weather station as an example, the highest mean maximum temperature record for any year (from 46 years of daily weather data) is 25.3 degrees. This compares to the yearly mean maximum of 24.0 degrees. If there is no climate change, then there should be a 1 in 46 chance that the mean maximum of 25.3 degrees will be broken in 2020. If Mr Hill were to offer these odds, I'm sure quite a few would have a punt.
