Sir, I am very much in agreement with the comments made by George Gammack in his letter (No wholesale changes, January 15).
However, I would make the following points in addition.
Controlling speed can be something of an emotive issue, where one has to take into account pedestrian safety and that of other road users first and foremost.
Secondly, there is the problem of “active measures” eg speed humps and chicanes etc.
The problems here are the likelihood of vehicle damage suspension, tyres, exhausts and also the reduction in air quality in that locale.
A good example of this may be Broughty Ferry Esplanade, with goodness knows how many unavoidable humps.
OK, it could be argued that traffic is relatively light, but such measures do not prevent the idiot using fierce acceleration and braking in the process.
Instead of placing speed cameras on open stretches of dual carriageway, surely they would be better placed at schools, care homes, hospitals and the streets identified for a 20mph limit, to deter those who are intent on breaking the speed limit.
One only has to consider Kings Drive through Victoria Park in Arbroath. Very few observe the limit here which, it could be argued, may be a little too low at 15mph with many driving through at nearer 40mph.
Considering pedestrian safety alone could well introduce other unwanted issues.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham, by Forfar.
Saving trees just to burn them
Sir, I remember when recycling first started and we were saving newspaper and cardboard to save the trees.
Saving the trees would result in thousands of additional acres of woodland to absorb large amounts of CO2 and thus save the planet
What are we now doing with the trees we saved, we are cutting them down and burning them, but to disguise this fact they are calling it biomass.
Truly it would appear that the Green Party has lost its way and the inmates are in charge of the asylum.
When you burn trees you produce CO2 and smoke, you also discharge particulates into the atmosphere. This is what happened when we all burned coal in fires.
So are we going to return to the days when we had smog and thousands died of chest problems each winter?
We are assured the trees will be replaced, but the new trees will take 15 years to mature and replace the CO2 absorption of the cut down trees, surely it would be better just to plant more trees
George O’Brien. Guerdon Cottage, School Green, Anstruther.
Lady bus driver a great help
Sir, Arriving at Seagate bus station on Thursday lunchtime after an appointment in Dundee, I found there was no bus home to Fife.
I asked a pleasant young lady bus driver what the situation was and she said the bridge was closed, probably until mid-afternoon. So I walked back into town and whiled away a couple of hours. Returning again about 3pm, the same helpful young lady was there advising people, helping them on to alternative buses; making the best of a bad situation.
I eventually got home at 4pm on a bus going via Perth and Newburgh and along some twisty country roads, but with an excellent driver.
I would like to thank that lovely young lady bus driver who virtually took over at the bus station in trying conditions. She gave help to young and old. I hope the bus company take note of their excellent employee. If only she were a manager!
Caroline Neat. Wormit.
It would be a perfect anthem
Sir, According to the media it is that time of year again, when some Scots agonise over their country’s national anthem, or lack of one, depending on your point of view.
However, while avidly reading your article on Jim Murphy’s pitch to Dundee voters (January 14), I did have a “eureka” moment on the anthem question.
Might I suggest, “Stop Yer Ticklin’ Jock”?
Harry Lauder’s immortal classic, with the line “dinnae mak’ me laugh sae heartyor ye’ll mak’ me choke”, is tailor-made to round off one of Jim Murphy’s barnstorming, mind-bending speeches and Labour conferences which closed with a rendition of this timeless classic would be guaranteed to have them rolling in the aisles probably even in the isles!
Malcolm Cordell. 35 Fort Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Who are these people?
Sir, Who are these “ordinary” people politicians increasingly refer to? The ones who are always being affected by things such as food prices and interest rates and job losses, apparently.
Are there extraordinary people for whom these things don’t matter?
Perhaps there are. Who on earth could they be, I wonder?
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.