The Courier week ends with letters discussing a new bridge over the Tay at Perth, Perthshire’s treatment of cyclists, drink and drugs, and public-sector management posts.
Can Perth afford new Tay crossing? Sir,-Your article on the new foot and cycle crossing over the Tay at Perth (August 31) rang some bells with me.
I agree that there is no indication on the consultation website as to where exactly the bridge will be. It would be simple, for clarity, to publish a picture of the bridge superimposed on a map.
It could also be superimposed on a photo of the view upriver from Perth Bridge. It might surprise people to learn that the bridge will be visible from Perth Bridge.
I jog around the Inch so have an idea where the exploratory drilling was done, otherwise I would not have any notion as to where the bridge is proposed.
Here are some points of concern: firstly, the proximity of the bridge to Perth Bridge. When the bridge was first proposed, my assumption was that it was going to be in the Inveralmond area, usefully well upstream of the present crossing. Obviously, I wasn’t paying attention.
The distance between the proposed bridge and Perth Bridge is such that I reckon that, even at my slow jogging speed, I can get from Charlotte Street to the new bridge landfall in less than five minutes. What is the point of having a bridge this close to an existing bridge?
Secondly, there is long established use of the North Inch for other purposes, not least golf. If the bridge interferes with the use of the course then planning permission must be conditional on hole and fairway realignment, within the allocated funds for the bridge before work starts on the project.
Finally, I understand that funds are in place and ring-fenced for this project. This is very fortunate because at £3 million it is an example of the sort of profligate project taken forward in an apparent time of plenty that will not be viable again for a long time.
Alistair Clark.Cruikies Nook,Rait.
Absence of cycle provision
Sir,-The Auchterarder area and indeed many parts of southern Perthshire seem to be completely ignored when funding is made available for safer cycling.
Surely it is only fair that consideration be given to providing our cyclists with safer routes and encouraging people in this area to get out of their cars and cycle to work and school.
To date, in over 25 years of cycling down a very busy High Street, the only money I have seen spent on cycling is the provision of bike racks which are never used, probably because it is so frightening to venture forth on a bike on this main road.
In case the council has forgotten, we are part of Perth and Kinross and it is time that we were given a slice of the funding cake.
Sandra Murray.31 Grampian Avenue,Auchterarder.
Let’s have drugs debate
Sir,-I accept the view of George McMillan (August 30) that alcohol is part of our culture but it blighted the lives of some of my most gifted relatives and I think it is the obverse side of the same coin as narcotics.
I have no wish to take an ideological stance on this sensitive issue but it is the subject of intense debate among the experts so it is something lay people should at least discuss.
Of course, the last government predictably sacked its own adviser and Europe’s leading authority on addiction, David Nutt, for claiming that drug abuse was a medical matter.
But Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, the outgoing president of the Royal College of Physicians, suggested that relaxing the law on narcotics would be beneficial to society.
In this he was echoing the advice of many police chiefs, the recommendations of most medico-social reviews and was supported by Nick Green, chairman of the Bar Council.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Trim back on clipboard army
Sir,-During a recession we all have to tighten our belts.
To save cash, a reduction in staffing levels in our public services is necessary too. If this is done in an even-handed way, authorities will get public support.
However, in the past, many managerial posts were protected while frontline staff were targeted.
The sight of the all-too-familiar clipboard brigade employed in non-jobs continues.
The repeated complaints of those who claim that a reduction in their department will hurt the public is wearing thin.
At a recent hospital appointment, half a dozen bodies were wandering about with bits of paper, apparently doing nothing.
Meanwhile, a neighbour witnessed boys ripping out trees in a local park and when she phoned the bobbies was asked what she expected them to do.
If this is typical of the level of commitment of those employed in our public services, a good clear-out is long overdue.
Bob Smart.55 Bellevue Gardens, Arbroath.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.