We’ve now had 4 Sundays in succession of rugby matches at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds in this new Town Deal era of much more intensive use. For many of us, the issues we have expressed concerns about over quite a long period of time have turned out as we feared, but worse. In a nutshell, it is a 19th century facility in a residential area with narrow terraced streets built in the horse drawn traffic age.

Sport makes a positive contribution, it brings many benefits, not least to mental and physical health, and it can bring a sense of belonging and community. The VPG is not suitable for what is being rolled out. It has served the town very well for 130-140 years, there are many very happy memories, it has a strong place in our affections, but its location makes it unfit for the needs of the 21st century.

After the experiences of the last four weeks of Sunday afternoon rugby matches, including being attacked, maligned and insulted on AAG for drawing attention to the negative impact on residents of the 4 matches, Stu Allerton and I ran some polls on AAG. Stu’s poll was about introducing one way traffic on Carter St, Parliament St and Marcus St. 140 people, 92% of those who voted in this quick survey, were in favour of introducing a one way system.

I did two polls. One had an ironic/satirical flavour asking whether people they preferred to have a sporting village somewhere with plenty of space and good road access or keep the VPG with all the disadvantages. It was an ironic reference to many of us feel that consultations are conducted which are designed to conclude by endorsing what the councils want to do anyway.

I also ran a poll quoting the East Riding Council slogan “Your East Riding…where everybody matters” and asked whether people believed Goole people matter to East Riding Council. Just over 330 replied last time I looked – 96% said they thought Goole people don’t matter to East Riding Council.

Apparently councillors complained to the AAG administrators about the polls and critical posts. More efforts to suppress public discussion and expression of opinion.

While there weren’t huge numbers of responses, a lot of people in Goole seem to feel that Goole doesn’t matter to East Riding Council.

East Riding Council seems to believe that PR and comms is the answer tomall problems. There are vast amounts of positive PR spewing out. It clearly isn’t working on the general public because many do not believe ERYC runs Goole in the best interests of Goole people. When we’ve raised issues about parking, traffic and safety the replies have been along the lines of people had a fantastic time inside the grounds, people came to Goole, pubs and cafes did well. These are positives, but they don’t do anything to address the issues residents around the ground are experiencing.

This PR/comms über alles approach is damaging rather than enhancing ERYC’s image, and the efforts to control all discussion and debate means the public don’t seem to have the right to hold an opinion that isn’t pre approved by ERYC, let alone express it.

I know there are other issues too, but the VPG situation is the most urgent because of the impact on residents. We are going to have to join forces and be united if we want to bring about positive change for the VPG  neighbourhood – like the Hospital Campaign.

I’m interested in how you feel about the impact of the changes that are happening.