SIR,

I wish to raise several points about stupid problems

that have been put to the bus drivers of Francis Drake

Buses who, on a daily basis, provide Monmouth

residents with an excellent local service.

A person who apparently represents Monmouthshire

County Council's transportation unit has brought

them to book about using toilet facilities, thus causing

services to run a few minutes late.

If this person was to stay all week and see the daily

changes in traffic problems in Monmouth that the

drivers have to put up with, he would know that most

services run a little late at some point due to no fault

of theirs.

As for having to use the toilet, surely we all have the

right to do so when needed, and I am sure that the

person involved does so himself!

This person is probably receiving a good salary, paid

for by the community, yet do we do know how to

contact him to make an enquiry? No.

Apparently, the drivers had it put to them that they

smoke whilst in or driving the vehicles. I can vouch,

being a daily traveller on the bus services, that I have

never seen any of them doing so.

Where is this person from the Council on a Sunday,

when we have a hit and miss services at times on the

60 and 83 routes run by Stagecoach. They do have

some very good drivers, but do not always run all the

services.

Where is he when passengers have to endure a white

knuckle ride on Mondays to Sundays on the Newport,

Abergavenny and Hereford services due to the drivers

not having enough running time.

Another point that the Council's representatives who

provide subsidies for the services should look at is

the lack of connections, in particular on a Sunday,

when two buses leave Monmouth within ten minutes

of each other going towards Raglan, one going to

Newport, the other to Abergavenny, whilst the

Chepstow bus comes in five minutes after the last of

these two have left.

Surely we pay somebody at County Hall very good

money to organise subsidised services. Come on, it's

not rocket science.

Also, let's not forget the drivers on the 65 and 69

Chepstow services, who provide us with an excellent

service.

I am sure that I cannot be the only resident of

Monmouth and surrounding districts who feels this

way and it is time to let the powers that be at County

Hall hear and listen to what we think.

Come on drivers, keep up the good work! By the way,

I am the holder of a free travel pass and I firmly

believe in "use it or lose it".

Adrian Hayes

(Monmouth)

Wildlife pond

SIR,

The Council have been told on two occasions about

the risk to wildlife at the pond opposite the fire

station.

We have now lost two geese due to dog owners

allowing their dogs to run free off the lead and leaving

the gate open.

Notices need to be put up on all accesses to the pond,

also, an island needs to be put in the centre of the

pond for the wildlife to escape.

There is also a need for some kind of shelter and

bushes.

Finally, can I urge local people: Please respect the

wildlife.

A. Barnet

(Monmouth)