Vandal gate must be kept

BEFORE Lynda Eggett starts throwing accusations of venality at Tony Webster (Letters, August 2) she might pause to consider that not only does he have family living in Cow and Hare Passage, but that a few years ago their property was set on fire. This is

BEFORE Lynda Eggett starts throwing accusations of venality at Tony Webster (Letters, August 2) she might pause to consider that not only does he have family living in Cow and Hare Passage, but that a few years ago their property was set on fire.

This is all part and parcel of Cow and Hare life before late night locking of the gate at weekends took place.

The fact is that times change. We have a current generation that is inclined to vandalism, and that situation needs to be faced up to. We are no longer living in the twee 1950s, or even the free loving 1960s. This is the unfortunate reality of the 21st century.

We need more low-cost housing, we need people with land on which to build it, who need the profit from their building to fund their pensions rather than just spend it all and then rely on handouts from government.

For all this we need local authorities to make sure that such building is pleasant to live in, and not a haven for mindless vandalism.

I find it astonishing that in a locality that ought to be a by-word for intelligence and enlightenment (Cambridge) the authorities seem intent on encouraging the degrading of such areas, whereas in the depths of the "poor" industrial heartland (Salford) similar problems have been banished by exactly the measures that Cambridge seeks to destroy.

So far as the residents are concerned, Mr Webster is something of a hero who has done much to allow us to sleep soundly in our beds, and I dread the removal of the gate.

CHRIS HIBBERT, Cow and Hare Passage, St Ives

* FAIR is fair. If the people living in Cow and Hare Passage are supposed to expect a little anti-social behaviour by choosing to live in the town centre then why shouldn't the "yobs, drunks and criminals" expect a little reciprocal behaviour if they choose to use the town centre for their rowdiness.

The gate should be locked as requested by residents and the poor yobs, drunks and criminals can use one of the several thoroughfares available to travel across town.

As for a Government inspector's advice being used as an excuse - dearie me - what has happened to common sense these days?

SHEILA CROSS, Stepping Stones, Hemingford Grey