Letter: The Tunsgate Trap Was A Truly Dreadful Experience

Published on: 21 Sep, 2018
Updated on: 21 Sep, 2018

Anthony and Clare Cox trapped in Tunsgate with their Blue Badge.

From Anthony and Clare Cox

Subjects of the articles: Infirm Couple ‘Imprisoned’ In Tunsgate for Three Hours Before Council Permits Barrier To Be Unlocked and Council Responds to Tunsgate Lock In Incident

In the heat of the moment, we have realized that we did not give public recognition of the kindness given to us by Ben of Ben’s Records and the lovely staff at the Kalm Kitchen and Krema cafes when we were locked into Tunsgate on Tuesday.

It was much appreciated and helped an awful experience become almost bearable. We should also mention the lovely security guard at Cry for the Moon jewellers where we had parked originally. He came up to see if we were all right.

When we spoke to Cllr Ellwood, our local councillor, he seemed more concerned with how The Guildford Dragon NEWS had obtained the story, and the identity of the informant, than about our awful experience, although he did say it couldn’t have happened to nicer people.

He did not understand that the Guildford Ranger, dear Emma, who spent nearly an hour phoning on our behalf could not remedy the situation but he did say they were considering putting the relevant telephone number on the road sign for those who do not know how GBC works (or does not work!) so it did not happen again.

It also came to light that a warden had apparently seen our car at midday without the blue badge displayed. They felt this justified their appalling incompetence but we cannot display the badge whilst we were sitting in the car waiting to be released, it is against Blue Badge rules.

It was a truly dreadful experience and quite frankly will put us off shopping in Guildford for a long time, which is very unfair on the Tunsgate shops of which we are longstanding customers.

Responses to Letter: The Tunsgate Trap Was A Truly Dreadful Experience

Chris Barker Reply

September 21, 2018 at 6:36 pm

They tell it like they were locked up in Colditz. It was a few hours out of their probably boring day anyway. This ‘news story’ really has made me grin. They were looked after by the kind staff in nearby shops.

And they where hardly trapped….the car was, but they could have left and returned for their car later after the barrier was opened.
- Chris Townsend Reply
  
  September 22, 2018 at 8:11 am
  
  But they are disabled: they couldn’t “escape” as easily as able-bodied people, to pass the time in the town. The couple’s need to take medication only made their probem worse and must have been worrying. To refer to “their probably boring day” is simply insulting; everyone’s time is precious – and everyone makes mistakes now and again, even typing “where” for “were”.
- Jim Allen Reply
  
  September 22, 2018 at 12:35 pm
  
  As you get older and the body does not do what the brain thinks it can, the weather seems colder and hotter than it used to be, even if the temperature stays in the same range, and your home becomes your sanctuary away from the world.
  
  I guess young Chris will remember one day what he wrote about and will forget the smirking Cheshire cat in favour of the hot meals on wheels being served to him, or the chair offered half way up Guildford High street because he’s forgotten where he parked his car.
  
  It ain’t no fun getting old.
Bernard Parke Reply

September 21, 2018 at 7:38 pm

The barrier would have been opened again at 0100 hrs.

Which is, of course, one o’clock the following day.
Keith Parkins Reply

September 21, 2018 at 10:46 pm

Councillor asks how media got the story.

It is the role of good journalism.

Bad journalism regurgitates council press releases without question as news.
Jeff Hills Reply

September 23, 2018 at 10:37 am

I am afraid that forsaid councillor cannot take bad publicity as it is bad for his ego.