Red Letter Day

Number 40 on my 50 List is  - Get a letter published in a local paper

I have been pondering what to write about, and the opening of the new Guided Busway between Luton and Dunstable is a topical and controvertial subject in these parts. The £91 million cost of the scheme, as well as the years of traffic disruption and the replacement or destruction of several old railway bridges have generated many reports and letters in the papers.

Now that is has opened, I have heard some positive reports by people who have tried it out, but there are others who are very much against it. We get many enquiries about the Busway at the Library where I work, since we have supplies of bus timetable for the public. I have been asked if it goes near the local hospital, which is on the border of Luton and Dunstable, but the nearest stop is 700m away, and would involve crossing a major A road.

So now I had my subject, it was topical, local and relevant, giving me a better chance of getting it published.

It was the first time I had written to a local paper, it took me about ten minutes to write, and I sent it via email...

On Wednesday morning, Amelia from work said to me 'I saw your letter in the paper', so I dashed out to buy a copy of the Luton News at lunchtime, and there it was, on page 12:

The paper has headed it BUSWAY

Shuttle Bus?
Since we have no bus station in Luton, the first port of call for transport information in Luton is the Central Library.
The staff do their best to help people, but one of the most frequent questions regarding the new busway is, 'Does it go near the hospital?' 
I believe it is quite a hike from the nearest stop in Stanton Road, especially if you are elderly or ill. 
Perhaps it would be useful to put on a shuttlebus from the stop to where so many people need to go.


Janet Davis
Address supplied

Of course, I know that this is not an option, and anyway there are other buses that go to the hospital, but I got my letter in the paper, so that's another thing ticked off the List.