Sir, The scorn and attempted irony by Colin Topping of Glenrothes in his letter of March 23 do him no credit.
Annette Birkett’s letter (March 19) raising questions about the proposed Pipeland site for a new Madras College in St Andrews clearly gave a “worst-case scenario” (as she said).
That is exactly what councils, emergency services, health and safety and building developers should consider when planning such large-scale construction projects, to eradicate or minimise an accident’s worst potential consequences, however unlikely that all might occur simultaneously.
Unlike Mr Topping’s “domino-effect” fantasy, Annette Birkett envisaged one accident’s effects being greatly worsened by gridlock at times of maximum daily traffic, due to Pipeland’s narrow single-access, serving two major public-service sites.
Mr Topping mentions North Haugh; it is not a “boggy swamp” as heclaims.
Relevant experts confirm a school is perfectly feasible there, on the same building line and geology as the university buildings, some five to 10 metres above sea level.
Schiphol airport in Amsterdam is four metres below sea-level.
BAM Construction, which builds many Fife schools is part of a market-leading Dutch civil engineering concern.
Mr Topping greatly exaggerates the number of accidents which take place on the A91.
The spur road junction into the Haugh will force lower speeds (and provide dual site access), probably via a large roundabout.
With the roadway fenced off and a simple underpass installed into Station Park, pupils could not cross the A91 anyway.
This is in stark contrast to Pipeland’s A915, viewed daily from my front windows, during the peak times of 8.30am, 3.30pm and lunchtimes.
Marysia Denyer. 132 Scooniehill Road, St Andrews.
Levenmouth missing out
Sir, Transport Minister Derek Mackay’s announcement (March 29) of rail travel inducements (Jobseekers to get free travel to interviews, over 50’s to get £5 intercity fare) seems a progressive step at first view.
However, unemployed people living in large urban communities such as Levenmouth (37,500 population) will be further relatively disadvantaged by this move due to the absence of any direct rail links. They will be less able to compete.
Fife Council’s Deputy Leader, Lesley Laird, stated in a recent presentation that the reinstatement of trains from Thornton to Leven as part of Fife Circle services would effectively increase potential job vacancies by 500% here by opening up commuting to work in the growing Edinburgh labour market.
An hourly rail link would also expand study opportunities for the neglected youth of Levenmouth.
Mr Mackay claimed that the Scotrail franchise “should be an enabler for growth and an important contributor to communities up and down the country”. If so, the first priority needs to be to connect all major communities, such as Levenmouth, to the network. We’re eagerly waiting to share in these perks.
(Dr) Allen Armstrong. Levenmouth Rail Campaign, 28 Viewforth, Buckhaven.
Rein in this inquiry culture
Sir, The contaminated blood victims have suffered greatly and everyone should hope that there is now a generous settlement in their favour.
However, it seems shocking that an estimated £12 million has been wasted on an inquiry which, after six years, has resulted only in the victims angrily calling it a whitewash and a waste of time.
We can surely learn a lesson from this saga which is that inquiries are not always the answer, though the legal profession loves to shout for them.
From now on, such inquiries should only be granted more sparingly and with extremely tight terms of reference so they do not run on for years.
Gus Logan. 2 York Road, North Berwick.
Temerity of the Scots
Sir, Is it not rather strange that after 300 years of the Westminster Parliament bestowing on us “gifts” such as Trident, the poll tax, the bedroom tax and illegal wars (all of which were against the wishes of the people of Scotland) that suddenly there is such outrage at the idea that, we, the Scots, equal members we were told of this family of nations might have the power and the temerity to exert a modicum of influence, in the corridors of British power?
Should we hang our heads in shame?
Joseph G. Miller. 44 Gardeners Street, Dunfermline.
Immigration crime fears
Sir, Between May and December last year Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) recorded that police officers had identified 5,425 foreign criminals on the streets of Scotland.
Would these form part of the 24,000 immigrants that the Scottish National Party want to come to Scotland every year?
Dan Arnott. St Brycedale Court Kirkcaldy.