As a small transport operator driving through town 2-3 times a day, I have had four near misses with impatient pedestrians trying to cross the street.

The worst problem is where they set up the stupid bus pick-up points.

They are OK if the bus driver can park his bus without the arse end sitting on the road, but it makes it hard when you’re in a truck the same size.

The only real reason they are doing this is because the festival is slowly dying, and this shows in the functions going on along Peel St.

When I first started doing the evening walk down the Peel there was entertainment all the way from Darling St roundabout down to Fitzroy St.

They included horse cart rides, snake display both ends of Peel, battery-operated bikes for the kiddies, art unions selling tickets for cars, trike rides etc, plus there was a good atmosphere down the street.

But now you do the evening walk in about an hour and you could swear you are following a coffin to the cemetery. 

I truly believe council’s fees, rules and regulations have scared a lot of these small entertainment venues away.

That’s another one – what happened to the sideshow? Music and lights added atmosphere to the festival, but now all but gone. 

I think council has a lot to answer for the way the festival is going.

Garry Whyler

Tamworth