Sir, – As a Dundonian living in the Netherlands for more than 15 years, the introduction of a direct flight between Amsterdam and Dundee was a welcome surprise.
By coincidence, I ended up on the inaugural flight in May and the 13 passengers on board were warmly welcomed by a far larger number of people on the ground.
Despite the enthusiasm, I had my doubts over the long-term prospects of the service.
Three of the four times I flew, the flight was significantly late and since the flight does not officially connect to other airlines, it effectively ruled Amsterdam out as a hub.
Furthermore, the focus on tourist travel was always going to be risky given the seasonal nature and the draw of Edinburgh.
I understood that Chris Law’s intention was to build links between Scottish and Dutch businesses.
In early November I returned considering outsourcing work to Dundee businesses. Two days later flights were suspended.
To build a successful economy, solid foundations and reliable infrastructure are required. Don’t expect this to directly pay for itself. It is the means, not the end.
Why should companies invest the money and effort when key transport routes come and go and indeed the whole ground rules for UK trade with Europe may be torn up?
Scotland is in general seen as a great place to settle in or do business with.
Unfortunately, on the brink of being unwillingly dragged out of the European Union, my home country feels increasingly remote.
Nicholas Kopp.
Delft,
Netherlands.
Radar cover at Dundee airport
Sir, – FlyBe is pulling out of the Dundee – Amsterdam route citing “lack of suitable radar cover and volume of light aircraft activity”.
I’m sure neither of these factors would have been concealed from FlyBe when they undertook the contract.
Loganair have operated commercial flights out of Dundee for many years in exactly the same conditions. They have had the benefit of radar cover from Leuchars. With the RAF moving the Typhoons to Lossiemouth there’s now very few military flights using Leuchars. As a result the local airspace is less busy and the radar cover remains operating 24 hours a day.
There’s been a flying school at Dundee for 40 years or more, working with commercial flights and executive jets under the supervision of air traffic control. This is no different from many other airfields in the UK and worldwide.
Could there something be else going on here we are not being told about?
Chris Anderson.
29 Osnaburgh Court.
Dairsie.
Appropriate description
Sir, – I agree with your correspondent Richard Lucas about the adjectives which might be appropriately used concerning aspects of Donald Trump’s behaviour (rude, selfish and so on).
Having checked in my dictionaries the meaning of sexist, I would argue that this adjective is also appropriate in addition to, not supplanting, those used by Mr Lucas.
That Mr Lucas seems to diminish the concept of sexism or even remove it from our vocabulary, suggests that his “moral lexicon” is slimmer than that of today’s liberals.
Mr Lucas also asks: “If Mr Trump were gay and made such objectionable comments about men, what would that make him?”
What about masochistic or sadomasochistic?
Gordon Dilworth.
20 Baledmund Road,
Pitlochry.
Share criticism of running of UK
Sir, – As a supporter of Scottish independence, I have to agree with Ian Lakin’s criticism of the SNP.
The criticism was fair and the SNP would do well to take note.
However, although many support this party in order to achieve independence, they do not necessarily agree with its policies as a whole.
The first thing that will happen if Scotland achieves its birthright of independence is a general election.
Although the SNP may be the vehicle of independence, its members will not necessarily be the administration.
That will be up to the electorate so perhaps it is more of a question of independence or Scotland continuing to be governed from the capital of another country.
If people favour the latter, then it is back to the old days of boom and bust under the Tories and Labour.
These were the decades when these two raked in millions from prescription charges, bridge tolls, hospital car parking charges and the annual council tax rise, with not a new Forth crossing or A9 upgrade to show for it, plus Westminster squandering a possible £500 billion oil fund.
So by all means, let us criticise the SNP where they deserve it but let us criticise others who got Britain into this dreadful mess.
Robert Gritton.
62 Mameulah Road,
Newmachar.
Stark tale of two societies
Sir, – You reported on two contrasting stories in recent days: Fife Council slashing budgets and cutting jobs to make ends meet and The Scores in St Andrews being Scotland’s most expensive street.
These two stories underline the huge chasm between the haves and the have nots in a society that now celebrates the mushrooming property portfolios of the super rich, while the poorest and most vulnerable in society are left to ponder a cold and uncertain future.
David Cruickshanks.
4 Weavers Crescent,
Kirkcaldy.
A state of uncertainty
Sir, – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon claims that membership of the UK offers uncertainty for Scotland.
Speaking for a country with two failed banks, no currency of its own, and a structural fiscal deficit of £15 billion a year, one wonders what her idea of certainty can possibly be.
Malcolm Parkin.
Gamekeepers Road,
Kinnesswood,
Kinross.
Scotland needs urgent attention
Sir, – Instead of going on about Europe Union membership and trying to break up the United Kingdom, why does the SNP not show us how Scotland will be much better off after independence?
Scotland is lagging behind the rest of Britain in growth and employment.
Living in Perthshire, I notice road verges are not trimmed and the A9 is littered with pot holes which should have been repaired months ago.
These are a few of the many things the SNP should be dealing with at home instead of pointless posturing.
J. Gardner.
Main Street,
Bankfoot.