Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Your article on Wednesday highlights that many folk feel that the roads are too unsafe to cycle on or walk beside.
Last Saturday my son and I joined with 3,000 other cyclists and pedestrians for ”Pedal on Parliament”, an almost unreported demonstration that was the largest and friendliest protest outside the new Holyrood Parliament.
This was not a lycra-clad rent-a-mob but mostly ordinary hard-working families mums, dads and children wanting the politicians to do their bit in making Scotland a safe place for them to get to work, school and run the messages on foot or by bike.
If we want to take advantage of all the benefits that active travel can offer then the politicians must put our money into it.
The equivalent of less than a fish supper per person spread over three years is derisory proper investment is needed, backed up with commitment from local authorities to bring about the infrastructure change that will make Scotland a healthier and wealthier cycle-friendly nation.
Saturday’s incredible turnout, organised at short notice, shows the strength of feeling for change. It is time for the politicians to listen and respond.
It is a sad indictment of the current situation that many people only feel safe cycling when they have a police escort.
(Dr) David Martin.Cyclists Touring Club Right to Ride representative,Chair, Dundee and District Cyclists Association.
We depend on daily paper for the real news
Sir, – Jennifer Cosgrove’s article ”What is journalism in 2012” (April 27) is, in my opinion, the most significant piece of journalism, so far, this decade.
Articles are usually attributable, owners/editors are identifiable and letters columns and other contributors keep us up to date with current affairs, opinions and their origins. There is a measure of behavioural regulation.
Cyber information and news is unattributable, difficult to check for accuracy and may be ”influenced” (you may well use it yourselves, for convenience and speed). It can also be ”cut off”.
The pen may be mightier than the sword and the tongue sharper than a dagger. The sword can cut off the hand and the dagger can cut out the tongue. This is the danger for honest journalism in a disinterested society, where you have made a nuisance of yourselves with the politicians.
I do not know what the future holds for us simple citizens who wish to know what is going on in the halls of government or in the next street to where we live. Can we trust our computers?
We depend on you.
The daily ”paper” is still important, in my opinion.
A T Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
Shale gas claim is erroneous
Sir, – I have noticed that Clark Cross is still convinced shale gas is the way forward and rusting turbines are not the way to go (Letters, April 23). I have some issues with this.
Firstly, the rusting issue. Absolute nonsense. There is a technique known as cathodic protection. It has been used on North Sea platforms in a salt water highly oxygenated environment for years and as yet, 40-odd years later, they have not dissolved into piles of rust.
Secondly, Mr Cross’s claim of the success of shale gas in the US is totally erroneous. Certainly it is abundant but it has raised a lot of public concern and is now under a lot of scrutiny.
The reaction in the UK to shale gas has been centred around the earthquake risk; a total red herring. Fracking occurs along the New Madrid fault (site of the biggest earthquake in the continental US) and no-one there cares.
The main risk is the contamination of drinking water.
I must ask Mr Cross if he has been to Illinois, Missouri or Arkansas? There are massive windfarms there.
Ask the locals what they would prefer, windfarms or shale gas fracking?
Would you rather have a turbine spoiling your view or have contaminated drinking water?
Eric Swinney.101 Creekwood Drive,Lafayette,LA 70503,USA.
Yes, there is a path but…
Sir, – Congratulations to Wales for establishing an 870-mile coastal path. It would appear, therefore, that that country has no airport on the coast, like Dundee, in all those miles!
Of course, someone will point out that there is a path between Dundee Airport and the river wall, stretching from the end of the university playing fields to the Riverside Nature Park.
Yes, but there is a six-foot gate barring entrance and many dire warnings spawned from 9/11 about the desirability of the airport to terrorists.
Albert A’Hara.21 Rockfield Street,Dundee.
Confusion over tuition fees
Sir, – Much confusion seems to have arisen over the eligibility of Northern Irish students who hold a Republic of Ireland passport to gain free tuition at Scottish universities.
It would, of course, be ideal that all students within the rest of the UK be allowed free tuition in Scotland, but Con-Dem budgetary cuts and the imposition of tuition fees by that government means that this simply cannot be the case.
Eligibility for free university tuition is based on ordinary residency rather than nationality and it is therefore unwise for a student resident in Northern Ireland to believe they have a right to free tuition in Scotland because they may also hold a Republic of Ireland passport.
Alex Orr.77 Leamington Terrace,Edinburgh.
Swallows why bother?
Sir, – So the first swallows have arrived in Scotland.
Two weeks ago I was in sunny Morocco with the air full of swallows and swifts. I have never seen such a large-scale migration with thousands of birds heading north.
Then, as now, I can only ask the question why do they bother?
Why swap real summer for our dreary pretence?
Hamish M Brown.3 Links Place,Burntisland.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.