General Chat

Bryan is the government also providing the drink to keep them behind the wall, or will they still be out and about annoying the poor tourists for money to buy it.

Are they to be air lifted in and out of this park then??? How exactly will this madcap scheme keep alcoholics off of the street? No doubt they will be good little boys and girls and not take a drink until they get there and sober up before they come out. What of those who are beligerent and aggressive when drinking ? - I expect to hear that there will be police drafted in to keep the peace or better still perhaps each alcoholic ought to be given a minder (paid for from public funds) to ensure that they have a nice time without the fear of being accosted. Magsx

Individuals hit the bottle first through traumatic breakdown of relationships.It os often as a result of the death of a loved one or the breakup of a marriage or loss of a job. They can hit the bottle because the stress of work is too great for them to cope with and there is no one they can turn to for help. BE HONEST how many of us have a drink when we have had a trying day. I know I do when I have had a difficult day with Mum. But I have a limit and I stick to it rigidly. But not all souls are so strong willed,and some because of their circumstances do not have the resolveto limit their drink,they seek oblivion. Yes this great amount of money would be far better used on rehab and work on self esteem.Why could no one have thought of a workshop too where they could begin to rebuild their lives through skills,making and selling items. It is another sad piece of illconcieved bungling with tax payers money. Please no comments about ex-public school,my husband comes in that catagory and a more hard working ,down to earth,truelly caring person you would go a long way to find. He is in HMP SERVICE and does work that many reading this would shirk,so no generalisations please. The comment is an inaccuracy anyway as MP come from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Rose on the Island

Have they asked these alcoholics if they will use this park Will it become an expensive white elephant

Alcoholism is a very real illness. They should be offered more places to detox and have a chance to live without it. Putting them all behind a wall is as barbaric as putting unmarried pregnant teens in an Asylum for the rest of their lives. Jim

Bryan, Not just London!! We in Winchester have a harmless fellow called Frank Williams who lives in a Bender (which, despite walking that way a lot, I've never seen) on the edge of the south downs. Frank doesn't claim any benefits, he earns his keep by busking in Winchester. He keeps the area where he lives litter free, has campaigned, and got, the speed reduced on a small road, and when I walk the (remote) area, I'm glad hes there. The council want him out cos he's been there 8 years (squatters rights after 12 years). Instead of asking for a peppercorn rent, the council are determined to throw him out!! That's my council tax money they're using!!! The council can destroy the area by carving through the downs to build a motorway, destroy ancient meadows to build a park and ride, and have low flying aircraft - (Winchester is now the flight path for Southampton airport!) and then waste thousands on trying to rehome a 53 year old man who doesn't drink, smoke or take drugs, and is quite happy where he is, offending no-one - in fact no-one apart from the council can find him - when the streets are swarming with alcoholics and the homeless. Yes, this is Winchester!!!!! maggie

maggie,you are sooo right,its jobs for the boys,they play around with their paper clips,and think..wot can i think up next.. the problem is,the people of london have to pay for it. wales,here i come!!! bryan.

Why don't they do something to help them??? I know it's difficult, but maybe if they employed someone who knew about the situation, rather than go through the 'old boys' network something could be done. There are far too many over paid jobs going to ex public schoolboys who've never lived in the real world and who dream up these ridiculous ideas. Give me £100,000 + a year and I could dream up an equally pie in the sky idea!! maggie

ime not an accountant,but surely,if tourism brings in a billion pound a year to london,then a few million pounds for this new project,should be offset against that,and not on the taxpayer again. my council tax 04/05 local..685.00 plus london tax...................268.00 leaves me to pay................953.00 is it really worthwhile,going to work? bryan.

Well how about using some of the derilect buildings for them to get some shelter and privacy! There are some pretty awful sights abroad so I can't really see that they are that offensive! Jacky

a government spokesman,said tonight,that ...we need to take them off our streets,as they are upsetting tourists... bryan/

Words fail me. Glenys.

AWFUL!!!! perhaps we should all become alcoholics!!! chris.

london is to open a parkland area,for alcoholics.the cost,running into millions (expensive area) they will put up a high wall,to give them privacy...the cost to be paid by londoners,via the council tax. what do you think?