Readers' letters: Voting age should be lowered to 16

I meet all sorts of people in my role as councillor and political activist.

These include those who have no interest in voting, those that always vote one way or another because this is all they have known, and those that cannot be bothered.

Are these people any more entitled to a say in how our country is run than sixteen and seventeen-year olds?

What of those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or who have learning difficulties?

These people have the vote.

What about those who confess to not understanding politics? There is no question of challenging these persons right to vote. I am not looking to see the vote taken away from anyone, I want to see suffrage extended to those of sixteen years of age.

There are some who are resistant to votes at sixteen, some who make the argument that sixteen-year-olds lack maturity and understanding.

Perhaps some do, but then this equally applies to those currently eligible.

At sixteen one can do a number of things considered adult, such as work and marry. Adding the ability to vote only seems fair.

The Scottish independence referendum three years back saw sixteen year olds have a say, and this was a success.

Not all sixteen year olds will want to vote, but those that do should be allowed. There is an ongoing debate on this issue and I hope that we shall see the suffrage extended. I also hope for other changes to improve our democracy.

Not all sixteen year olds will want to vote, but those that do should be allowed.

There is an ongoing debate on this issue and I hope that we shall see the suffrage extended. I also hope for other changes to improve our democracy, and perhaps these can wait for another day.

Votes at 16 should not have to wait. Our democracy can and must be improved.

Councillor Julian Ware-Lane, Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff

Who’s to blame for Kent Elms debacle?

I read again with interest that the Kent Elms Roadworks will now be completed in the summer of next year.

This is now a delay of over 15 months. The long-suffering residents are getting tired of the constant delays and the traffic using their local roads as rat runs to avoid the congestion.

I attended the Southend Borough Council meeting on the 19th of October to ask the Executive Councillor for Transport, Waste and Regulatory Services if there was a penalty clause put into the contract for the delays. The answer I was given was that there was a penalty clause drawn into the contract. This clause was not invoked because the delays were attributable to the National Grid and not the main works contractor. Therefore, the council will not be getting any compensation for the delays.

I also asked the same Executive Councillor why the council had gone to the additional cost of installing a pelican crossing at the site of the footbridge. The answer to the question was “The toucan crossing installed west of the junction was part of the scheme from the outset as this was an aspiration of councillors to have one installed in this location”.

It is a complete waste of tax payer’s money to have a bridge and a toucan crossing at the same site, with the bridge going virtually over the top of the toucan crossing.

Therefore, who is to blame for this waste of tax payer’s money, the aspiration of councillors?

David Allen, Collins Way, Eastwood

Model planes spoil peace of island

Two Tree Island, Leigh, is one of the most tranquil spots in Essex.

Or it would be if it weren’t for the model planes buzzing noisily overhead.

Why do these toys have to be fitted with engine that roar like motorbikes?

Meanwhile, real planes fly over my house frequently and I hardly hear them.

Martin McNeill, Westcliff Drive, Leigh

I have a right to my opinion on museum

I wish to reply to the letter “Just mind your own please Mr Downing” as printed in the Echo on Tuesday October 31.

Mrs Jardine has not understood my letter. I was not questioning the levels of support for the Southend Cliff Museum and the opposing Skipp group, but was merely asking Skipp to provide evidence to support their claim that no one wants to or will visit the proposed seafront museum.

I fully accept that I do not live in Southend and therefore have no say in how the borough spends its money, but I do have the right as a potential visitor and having the right to free speech to ask questions.

I would also refer her to the letter from Mr Woods, a resident of Southend ,as printed on Thursday November 2, “Seafront is right place for museum” who would also like to see evidence from Skipp to back up their statement.

People who have no evidence to support a stance when called to do so revert to personal attacks.

Shame on you Mrs Jardine.

David Downing, Conway Avenue, Great Wakering

Wheelie bin charge is a stealth tax

I think that Castle Point Borough council could comfortably be accused of misrepresentation and possibly even of contravention of trades’ description.

They are currently offering, under the heading of ‘Sale’, a £15 reduction in the cost for their wheelie bin service. So much so that Mr Barber has suggested that a rebate for those who had already paid £30 would be appropriate.

The people paying £15 will of course be asked to pay £30 next March, for that full year.

I wonder how many folk who have signed up to £30 wheelie bin scheme have realised that they would be asked for another 30 quid in March 18.

I also wonder how long it will be before the wheelie bin scheme will be a compulsory service for us all.

Why on Earth can’t the council adjust the council tax to meet their green waste policy instead of imposing an additional environmental charge on those of us who care?

Brian Wilson, Shorefields, Benfleet