The Courier’s week begins with discussion of a railway station at Edinburgh Airport, Sir Brian Souter’s knighthood, the ‘neglect’ of Dundee and British aid for Gaza.
Ignored over missing rail station mystery Sir,-I have written to the First Minister in the following terms but have yet to receive a reply:
“I live in Dundee. I try not to use my car too much. I fly from Edinburgh a lot.
“Almost every time I do, I go by train. To Haymarket. And on my way to Haymarket, I wave at the airport as it goes past 15 minutes before I get to Haymarket. Where I get on a bus, when one comes, which will get me back to the airport in, if I’m lucky, about 25 minutes.
“I can’t help thinking that this is a ridiculous waste of everyone’s time. And I really can’t see any reason why we can’t have a railway station at the airport.
“What, if anything, do you propose to do about this?
“P.S. I asked my local MSP, Joe FitzPatrick, a member of your party, about this. He never responded.”
There might be Courier readers who can explain to me why there isn’t an Edinburgh Airport railway station, and/or why Mr Salmond and Mr FitzPatrick won’t reply to me.
(Professor) T. Chappell.2 Rosewood Terrace,Dundee.
Hats off to Sir Brian Souter
Sir,-I could not disagree more with Mr John Phillip’s comment (June 15) that Brian Souter does not deserve a knighthood.
Brian Souter and Anne Gloag created, at a time of depression, a very successful and international transport business.
What they did, and how they did it, was very clever.
They have become millionaires from their efforts.
As it is, I can take a Stagecoach from Perth via Aberfeldy, to Fearnan for £3.40, almost the same price as the car and I don’t have to drive in the snow, which I hate.
It is interesting that really quite normal Scottish people, with a bit of spirit and gumption, can make a go of it. And they can win.
Yes, people complain about this and that. But people complain anyway. About everything. All the time.
I have never, in 20 years or so of using the service, had a complaint with Stagecoach.
When Perth was stuck under a snowdrift, the buses ran on time.
I think Sir Brian and his sister show good Scottish entrepreneurial spirit.
Malc Dow.42 New Row,Perth.
Dundee let down by weeds
Sir,-I know times for councils are hard, with budget constraints, but what is it about Dundee that makes it incapable of maintaining even a minimal level of civic pride, not just for its citizens, but also for visitors and potential businesses?
As you drive or walk round town, evidence of neglect is apparent with grass verges not being cut, weeds growing in central reservations, roadsides, roundabouts and pavements. Weeds grow where there were once colourful bedding plants.
Dundee sits in one of the most beautiful locations anywhere in the world. With the V&A building coming, and waterfront development starting, now might be a good time for the council to start thinking seriously about how an improved environment could benefit the city economically and better its image at the same time.
Bruce Mireylees.Balgillo Road,Broughty Ferry.
Green energy puts up bills
Sir,-I cannot understand John Swinney’s comment (June 15) about increases in energy costs.
As finance minister, he must know it is the green stealth taxes brought about by the commitment to renewable energy that is adding to household bills and those of businesses.
There is no mention of this on our energy bills sneaky or what!
There is plenty of fossil fuel in the form of coal, gas from shale, and North Sea oil. Although the latter is in decline, it is nowhere near running out.
But landowners get huge subsidies for wind farms
It suits government to blame energy companies and raise huge sums to boost renewables.
If this was done through general taxes the government would be even more unpopular.
Tina Wilson.The Gardens,Kinloch Rannoch.
Difficult to join aid ship
Sir,-Andrew Lawson (June 16) calls into question the motives of those organising aid convoys to Gaza and those protesting at the Israeli government’s prolonged siege of Gaza, which is bringing hardship to the lives of 1.7 million people.
The Israeli action is in breach of UN resolutions, is flouting strong worldwide opinion, and has been widely condemned around the world.
It is a humanitarian crisis.
Prime Minister David Cameron recently said the Israeli blockade had turned Gaza into a prison camp and strongly condemned Israel’s actions.
President Obama has said the Gaza situation is unsustainable.
On the previous aid flotilla, the MV Rachel Corrie had, amongst the £500,000 in aid donated from Scotland, £30,000-worth from Tayside which included 13 pallets of medicine, clothes, toys and building materials donated by the people of Dundee.
The Israeli siege of Gaza bans books, blankets and crayons. Spices such as coriander are banned but cinnamon is allowed.
I had indeed hoped to join the next aid convoy to Gaza but it is not an easy matter and the timings and arrangements are proving difficult to confirm.
Whether I am able to join the ship, or whether there will be a ship from Scotland in the next flotilla, does not diminish the fact that what Israel is doing is illegal.
Joe FitzPatrick MSP.Old Glamis Road,Dundee.
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.