Since the last petition update your writer has had further conversations and email correspondence relating to concerns people who live around the VPG have about the development project.

While investment is of course very welcome, and sports facilities for all ages very welcome too – giving young people something constructive to do – the concerns continue to revolve around the suitability of the site for what is intended, given that it is surrounded by very dense residential development. There is no doubt a huge amount of work has gone into developing the project and working with other agencies. All credit to those who have put in the hard work and initiative. There are members of the community though who - while acknowledging all that  - still feel what is needed is a new sports centre, a sporting village, in a location that is much more future-proof through having space and good road and public transport access. Something fit for the twenty-first century; rather than trying to make a nineteenth century facility fit for purpose today, for sentimental reasons.

It seems those people who take that view have lost that argument and the VPG project will go ahead. The councillors and Town Deal Board do have the legal powers to take these decisions. All we can do as individuals is express our opinions and concerns and hope we are listened to.

Concerns about construction traffic remain. There have been long standing worries about the amount of car traffic (dropping-off and collecting pupils who attend Boothferry Primary School) at the corner of Marcus Street and Newport Street. If there are already issues with the number of people and cars in this area, why would anyone want to add heavy construction vehicles into the mix?

Decision-makers may feel that the investment and upgraded sports facilities gives them unquestioning public support to proceed with running the construction traffic leaving VPG down Marcus Street and Newport Street, passing the school gates. If a child were seriously injured or killed, the damage could not be undone. Public support would likely turn out not to be anything like as strong as was thought. Are these risks worth taking?

Another risk of course is that in posting a further update, your writer and those who have serious concerns will be subject to the “moaners”, “haters”, “always running Goole down” comments from at least some of the powers-that-be. A small price to pay when the safety of children and those looking after them is at risk.