Sir,–I am glad to see that Fife Council has binned its public litter-pickers plan (Courier, September 6).
I have worked as a gardener for several of the large local authorities in Scotland and part of my duties have involved emptying bins and picking up litter.
Firstly, if a job needs doing then the person doing it should be paid a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work. If there is a request for people to volunteer to clean their own streets then that suggests to me that there is a lack of paid workers to fulfil the job.
As someone who has emptied bins I can assure the public that things such as used needles and waste containing human bodily fluids are regularly found in them.
I have come across soiled nappies, condoms and all other manner of nasty things potentially harbouring disease.
Anyone who partakes in litter picking or any other similar activity should ensure that their tetanus is up to date and I would also advise getting hepatitis A/B injections and possibly typhoid as well.
It might also be the case that any organisation asking you to do a litter pick should be paying the cost of any injections needed to keep you safe.
On a general note a good thick pair of gloves should be worn while taking part in litter picking and also a pair of steel toe cap boots. If you are near roads then a high visibility vest should also be worn and again whoever is asking you to do the task should be providing you with them or paying for them.
It is also good to see that the GMB trade union is taking a strong stance on this issue.
Alastair Macintyre.
Webster Place,
Rosyth.
Waste changes don’t add up
Sir, – Having lived in Carnoustie for almost 50 years I am both dismayed and disgusted after reading in The Courier that our recycling centre is to stop accepting mixed or general waste after February 1 2019.
Being old aged pensioners does this mean that if we have extra waste we are supposed to take it on the bus to the Arbroath recycling centre?
Sorry, we cannot do that as we are no longer allowed to walk into Angus refuse centres.
The authorities want us all to recycle more, yet they reduce the hours the depots are open and suggest bin lorries will operate between 6am and 10pm.
I would love to see them trying to negotiate the narrow streets in our town after 6pm when they are full of parked cars. It’s the people at the top of the waste department who should be recycled because it seems as if the lunatics have taken over the asylum.
Many residents – and voters – will be watching with interest to see what our councillor representatives are doing about this. And if the bigwigs come away with the standard reply – that the cuts have to come from somewhere – perhaps someone can suggest that they start with the over-inflated salaries of those at the top of the tree because they are not worth the money.
What about the millions of pounds generated for the area by the Open golf tournament that we were all told about? Or was that just “fake news”?
Thomas Mitchell.
Links Avenue,
Carnoustie.
Best ‘big skip’ in the world
Sir, – We are related to a very nice, very senior gentleman who lives in a house overlooking the Tay and beyond, at Newport.
One gets a tremendous view from his big sitting room windows and recently he said to us: “I get a great view of the big skip”.
Take a look at the shape and angle of the V&A museum from a distance and make up your own minds.
Barbara Kennedy.
Lochbank Road,
Forfar.
V&A deserves better company
Sir, – We now have a modern railway station and an outstanding V&A museum in Dundee, which has been totally spoiled by the introduction of an office block.
Surely the demolition of a previous office block in the same area says it all.
I am disappointed that with all the hype and expense surrounding the V&A it has been compromised with this additional ill thought-out structure.
Imagine if the old Royal Arch was still in existence. Now that would have been a truly fitting addition to a spectacular waterfront.
Irene Liebermann.
MacDonald Smith Drive,
Carnoustie.
Some points on the plan
Sir, – I am writing in response to coverage in your paper in relation to the Local Development Plan (LDP) 2 for Perth and Kinross which appeared on August 31. I am concerned that readers may believe that the changes will come into place immediately and I wish to clarify some points.
First, it is important to note that developments approved under the existing LDP, which include houses above the number contained within the LDP, are not “over-developments” of the site.
It is a common misunderstanding that the number of units identified in the plan is the maximum number which can be built. The number is indicative and the reality will vary widely depending on the style and density of housing proposed.
This is all taken into account as planning applications are submitted for consideration.
The council decided in November 2017 to adopt a new approach by indicating a density range which may be acceptable on individual sites. It was believed this would provide clearer guidance for both communities and developers.
We are now proposing the updated LDP 2 indicates that the higher end of the range be treated as the maximum figure. However, we cannot start implementing this change until after the LDP2 has been considered by the Scottish Government Reporter.
It is likely to be spring 2019 before we get the outcome of the Reporter’s deliberations.
I hope this clarifies the situation. In the meantime, it is important to remember that all existing and upcoming planning applications will be considered against the current LDP.
Murray Lyle,
Perth and Kinross Council Leader.
Cromlix,
Dunblane.
Time to tackle traffic woes
Sir, – On leaving the Mecca Bingo in Dundee last Saturday afternoon it took me 45 minutes to get from the carpark at the Mecca to the traffic lights at Nethergate and Marketgait.
While sitting in Union Street I noticed the traffic was not moving very much on the Nethergate westwards.
On getting to the traffic lights I found the reason why.
The vehicles coming down Marketgait were blocking the traffic going across Nethergate when the lights changed to green.
I had to wait for three change of lights before I could get across, and then I had to dodge between cars.
The simple solution to this would be to put a yellow square with “do not enter unless your exit is clear” instructions at the traffic lights at Nethergate and Marketgait.
I don’t know how the bus drivers in that area manage and they must surely have suggested this to their bosses as something to ask the council to tackle.
I’m certain it would make the traffic flow a lot easier.
Dave Black.
Glendevon Road,
Perth.
Let the people decide
Sir, – Despite the warnings from people who probably know better than her, Theresa May is still following the dictates of the xenophobic people who gained a victory in the referendum.
As predicted she is leading Britain into the abyss of economic disaster, but she maintains she is doing it in the name of democracy.
If she believes so strongly in democracy she should listen to the people and let the people decide in another referendum. Things have drastically changed since the last one.
Alister Rankin.
Whyterose Terrace,
Methil.
Haggis with your neeps?
Sir, – Yet again Scottish nationalists are urging a boycott of Scottish businesses, this time because Stahly Quality Food is promoting its “Great British Haggis” with a Union Jack on the packaging.
These people are the kind of “neeps” that make fools of all real Scots and don’t belong on the same plate as anyone’s haggis.
Allan Sutherland.
Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
