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Direct action is wrong protest

LIKE a lot of people, I think climate change is an issue. I’m not sure just how big an issue it is or whether it will truly be as apocalyptic as is being made out, but I still think it is something which should be tackled.

Which is why it is particularly galling to me to see the likes of Extinction Rebellion using idiotic tactics to try and address the situation. Perhaps the worst of these, and the one which is the most highly publicised, is their constant blocking of roads and stopping of traffic in an attempt to ‘grab the public’s attention.’

Not only does this prevent people from getting to work - which, especially in the case of shift workers who are paid hourly or paid based on how long they are at work for, can be extremely financially damaging - but it also has the effect of making climate change WORSE through forcing drivers to use more fuel - and therefore pump more CO2 into the atmosphere - by either keeping their engines on idle or constantly stopping and starting their cars.

A lot of their members are very well off I know but they need to consider the consequences of their actions and how they might possibly affect people who aren’t as fortunate as them.

I understand that they are concerned about climate change but the way they are going about trying to tackle it at the moment only causes disruption and, ironically enough, even more environmental damage, and risks driving people like me who might otherwise support them away from their cause.

James Bools, Melksham

A little ode to cleaner roads

WHAT a sight to see on a Wednesday morn,

A man driving the litter sweeper all forlorn.

Detritus filled street gutters, he turns a blind eye,

Cars parked bumper to nose, he cannot try.

Just driving in middle of the road, that’s the facts,

Unfulfilling job and waste of our tax!

Bring back the man and brush, or maybe a team,

Who will keep Trowbridge spotlessly clean.

Setting an example to the old and the young,

And a cheery Hello from people passing along.

Sweeping’s a job that only humans can do,

But if we didn’t drop litter, then that would be good too!

Sharon Goulty, Trowbridge

We won’t miss EU

Re 11 October letter from Devizes for EU and Kate Freeman: so a new vote is vital? What would you say, as the polls predict, that a new vote, with all you say we have learnt over the past three years, was the same: Leave?

Benefits of membership you say are, stopping climate change? Really? Doesn’t appear to be working so well after 40 years does it?

Driving licences and the freedom to drive in any EU country without restriction continues to increase the level of accidents and illegal incidents.

Of course you mention the freedom to travel, work, holiday, study, wherever we want, you steer clear of migration, immigration and asylum which are still three separate issues and parachute deals are already in place to cover much of this. Spain has clearly told the EU it cannot afford to lose UK holidaymakers? BMW have told Merkel extra tariffs on cars to the UK would cost German jobs?

You say in three years we have learnt what we would miss if we left? What I have learned is how hostile and vitriolic the rhetoric from the unelected EU has been over three years. They are afraid of us leaving. Our contributions are higher than all bar Germany’s and even more than theirs to NATO, which really keeps us safe and more than the bottom 10-12 other countries combined, because the likes of Greece, Italy and Spain have told the EU that they will not be making up the difference.

Mark Griffiths, Pavely Gardens, Hilperton