In today’s letters: support for the Dundee V&A project, the treatment of Dundee FC fans, airport security, backing for a proposed Roman centre in Perthshire, road signs, and criticism of the coalition government.
Dundee Civic Trust backs V&A design choice
Sir,-In the interests of clarity may I retrace some recent events concerning the V&A and Dundee Civic Trust.
Since the V&A project was first mooted, Dundee Civic Trust has been an enthusiastic and outspoken supporter.
When the trust made comment on the six short-listed entrants, it did so in the context of a consultation exercise and it prefaced that comment by congratulating Dundee Design Limited on the quality of that exercise and its value to the city. I do so again.
When the selection of Kengo Kuma was made, I was invited by a Courier reporter to respond on behalf of the trust.
I did so very positively and indicated our wholehearted support for a number of reasons. That response was not reported in your subsequent coverage of public opinion.
The following day, Stefan Morkis, in his Friday column, described the trust as an example of Scottish negativity. I refute that absolutely.
May I emphasise once again that Dundee Civic Trust continues to support the V&A project and the choice of Kengo Kuma.
It does so wholeheartedly.
Tom Devaney.Chairman,Dundee Civic Trust.
Fans treated with contempt
Sir,-Bob Taylor (November 6) seems unaware of the pressures that have prompted many Dundee Football Club supporters to decide not to attend any more away games this season.
The supporters were already expected to pay heavily for the mistakes of the former directors.
The 25-point penalty of the Scottish Football League threw more financial pressure on to the supporters by making it less attractive for anyone else to invest in the club.
Simultaneously, the penalty also made the remaining games this season less attractive by effectively imposing relegation on the club with six months to go.
If the staff of a cinema told a queue of customers the plot and outcome of a film, that the admission price was being doubled and then criticised those customers who chose to boycott the film, they would be roundly mocked.
Football is unique in that it expects to treat supporters with contempt and still berate them if they do not hand their money over.
The simple truth is that many supporters have to make a straight choice between keeping their club alive or going to away games.
The supporters did not want that choice and I would not dream of criticising anyone for their decision, either way.
James Christie.2 Dryburgh Crescent,Perth.
Excessive security checks
Sir,-Further to your article on security at Dundee Airport (November 3) I write to support the view of Dundee businessman Ian Crighton that measures are excessive and applied unintelligently.
I am a regular traveller and find going through Dundee Airport an ordeal. The security staff appear to use the thinnest of excuses to carry out searches.
On my most recent trip I was body searched because the metal detector had gone off, which did not happen on my return journey through London City Airport, although I was wearing exactly the same clothing.
(Dr) R. Walker.1 Kinpurnie Gardens,Newtyle.
Backing for Roman centre
Sir,-Like the Antonine Guard (November 5), the Tayside Classical Association is pleased to see the interest and support from the Scottish culture minister for a national Roman centre in Perthshire.
Apart from the Antonine Wall itself, there is a good deal to be learned from the Gask Ridge in Perthshire and its forts.
As the McManus in Dundee already holds a number of Roman exhibits, including material from Carpow, may we hope that the planned V&A in Dundee will flag up the area’s Roman history?
Helen Lawrenson.51 Bay Road,Wormit.
Irrelevant road signs
Sir,-Has Transport Scotland hired a fantasy blogger to come up with the messages on overhead road signs?
Among them are such gems including: stay back, don’t risk it; cut emissions; car share; frustration causes accidents.
Stay back from what exactly? And car sharing? In this litigious age, does insurance policy hire-for-reward clauses, or the potential need for disclosure statements make car sharing unworkable?
Conversely, on a recent trip down the M6, I found gantry signs informative, messages such as ‘congestion junction 19 to 21’, or giving the estimated travelling time between successive junctions.
If, as the gantry blogger suggests, frustration really does cause accidents, why not take a practical step and rid ourselves of the nonsensical diatribe punctuating our journeys?
Let’s see the signs switched off if there is nothing constructive to broadcast.
Ron Connelly.43 Morlich Road,Dalgety Bay.
Out-of-touch government
Sir,-The radical cleric Abu Hamza declares himself to be an enemy of the state and is rewarded by being allowed to remain a British citizen.
In the same week, the EU compelled our coalition government to give prisoners the vote, a decision welcomed by one half of the coalition but not by the other.
And, not for the first time, the average man in the street has cause to ask himself, whose interests is this government actually representing?
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood.
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.