Post: #1
Reply to: #None
Joined: 29th Jun 2008
From: United Kingdom
Posts: 4
I posted a copy of my contribution ‘Global Warming and the National Trust at Hindhead’ (see 29th June 2008) to the Haslemere Herald and received a curious response from a Dr. F J Trott of Haslemere. He was ‘Nauseated by my attempt to keep the Old A3 open in order to save a few minutes on (my) drive to Guildford. The Old A3should be closed. If (I) was really concerned about (my) carbon footprint then (I) should get a bus or cycle to Haslemere and get the train to Guildford.’ If I wished to campaign ‘it would be more environmentally responsible to lobby the local authority to improve public transport in the area.’
I waited for further reaction, hoping that Dr. Trott had not been eating his cornflakes when he read my letter.
Two local residents replied in the Herald of 18th July 2008.
Geoffrey Lee of Kingswood Firs, Grayshott was saddened by Dr. Trott’s letter noting that he lives close to the railway station, a considerable advantage compared with the circumstances that prevail in Grayshott. He went on to say that the Old A3 is a long standing asset which if destroyed takes away a diversion facility in the event of a tunnel(s) blockage. The National Trust was created on the basis that that it enhanced the quality of life for all citizens but at the (Public) inquiry it totally disregarded the serious impact of the tunnel upon Grayshott and its immediate surroundings. Dogmatically the Trust had enforced the closure of the Old A3 to the disadvantage of local people. He was nauseated by Dr. Trotts’s views bearing in mind his (Dr. Trott’s) advantage in living close to the local railroad.
Don Denton of Tarn Road, Hindhead was amazed at the hysterical response of Dr. Trott and commented that Dr. Trott had apparently not read my letter. I had made no mention of extra time journeys but only the knock on effect of the increased pollution as a result of local vehicles having to travel more miles daily when the Old A3 is closed. This will produce some 350 tonnes of carbon dioxide year on year.
Long may this debate go on!
We must surely continue to protest about the proposed closure of Grayshott’s valuable asset and the undesirable environmental impact this will cause.
David Barrett
Hindhead
