Madam, – Perth Bridge is undoubtedly in need of attention (Perth Bridge to close again as authority installs bollards, Courier, June 26).
However, I think a more radical approach is required, not just a further attempt at installing bollards along the existing kerbs.
I suggest the complete removal of the heavy A D Stewart cast-iron parapets from the 1869 widening and their replacement with a completely new bridge decking.
It should be made from ultra-strong, 21st Century composite materials and non-ferrous steels.
Modern materials would allow the creation of a wider bridge, allowing for a fully-segregated cycleway with the footpath still on the outside, allowing full views to the city and North Inch.
Mr Stewart’s work was an excellent solution for its time, but we must move on.
Disruption will be inevitable during the works, but this would not take place until the new Scone-Luncarty bridge is built.
If we are going to make Perth Bridge ‘fit for purpose’ in the 21st Century we must be bold and ensure this fine structure can continue to serve us well for another 200-plus years.
Duncan Cameron.
7 Haddon Road,
Perth.
Transformation talk is ‘drivel’
Madam, – It is no surprise Scottish Government IT is a mess.
I attended the 2016 annual conference of the IT trade body Scotland IS.
Keynote speakers were Mike Russell, whose theme was how bad Brexit was, and Derek McKay, whose remit includes IT, who tried to ingratiate himself with the audience of techies by reminiscing about the Sinclair ZX80 of his childhood.
There was no mention of the unfolding police, NHS 24, farm payments or pensions fiascos.
The idea of streamlined government services underpinned by shared data, processes and best practice or words such as on time, on budget, or adherence to standards, were also ignored concepts.
These people live in a world of undelivered broadband promises, namedropping terms such as Internet of Things, celebration of innovations more at home in a Men’s Shed computer club and woolly initiatives best captured in the introduction to their 2017 Digital Strategy, whose myriad objectives include seeing Scotland “ranked in the first quartile of countries in the world on productivity, wellbeing, equality and sustainability.
“It is therefore critical that Scotland is at the forefront of the global digital economy.”
What drivel.
While there are notable exceptions to this, the sad fact is we lack hard-nosed leadership at the top, a huge reluctance to engage and change in the middle, and not a single Scottish-owned company is big enough to specify, develop, deliver and manage these lucrative projects which, if well designed and executed, could transform the delivery and cost of public services and provide the core domestic market on which to build a global industry in the same way as we dominated shipbuilding.
Never mind, we’ve always got the booming renewables industry to fall back on.
Allan Sutherland.
1 Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Scotland can prosper on own
Madam, – The contribution of letter writer Stephen Lyall (Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon won’t matter in the long run, Courier, June 28) sums up the timorousness of your average British nationalist better than any slight that could be given by their political opponents.
Mr Lyall appears to not want independence because England “widnae want tae play wi’ us anymair”.
It is embarrassing.
If England wants to flounce off in a fit of pique then let them.
Europe is full of countries that will be happy to trade and deal with Scotland, whilst England sits in a splendid, post-Brexit isolation whistling Gilbert & Sullivan tunes and watching re-runs of Dad’s Army.
To suggest that such an independent Scotland would have no control in Europe is likewise risible.
Who suggests that Denmark, Finland, Belgium are not independent?
And with far less natural resource than Scotland, they seem to be doing quite all right.
I would rather that than the current position of no say over defence, immigration, employment, welfare – the “real issues” Mr Lyall wants to concentrate on.
If Mr Lyall thinks being vexed about Gaelic signage is more important than the democratic deficit that allows Scotland to be dragged out of Europe against her expressed will, simply because England wants out, then I would venture he wouldn’t know a “real issue” if it jumped up and bit him.
Henry Malcolm.
331 Clepington Road,
Dundee.
Neat trick to pull off EU U-turn
Madam, – To maintain a centre of calm and stability amid the chaos created by Boris Johnson’s no-deal Brexit on October 31, Jean-Claude Juncker will stay on as president of the European Commission till next June.
In contrast to Britain, Europe has wide-ranging plans to cope with the fall-out overseen by German bureaucrat Martin Selmayr, Juncker’s right-hand man and the most senior EU civil servant.
Selmayr’s “no-deal” planning is designed to “protect the vital interests of the EU” so that collateral damage to the UK is inevitable, especially to our jobs, economy, services, air travel and food products with long border queues.
I suspect Boris will be over cap in hand by November, but the withdrawal treaty terms will remain.
He clearly thinks he can force Selmayr to change his mind but that really would be a neat trick!
Rev Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
More questions than answers
Madam, – I read the article “Angus children ditching devices for the outdoors” (Courier, June 27) with more concern than interest.
The idea that the gamekeeping fraternity are concerned about the wellbeing of youngsters who undoubtedly spend more time on sedentary pastimes, lacks substance.
I am not convinced that Angus Glens Moorland Group’s approach to encouraging them to get out into the countryside and, presumably, enjoy the natural environment is at the root of this exercise.
The agenda to encourage health and welfare appears to be based around the gamekeeping profession as demonstrated by pupils having to endure deer being gutted and learning how keepers “manage predatory species” (ie kill things).
No mention nor attempt at understanding the natural environment, nor encouragement to involve the next generation in avoiding our possible environmental apocalypse.
The “hill to plate” aspect begs the question is this just an extension of fast food familiarity or will some pupils take heed of our planet’s predicament and settle for a more plant-based diet?
I do hope the pupils got something out of the rather one sided presentation, and when back in the classroom their teacher explains the meaning of propaganda.
David Mitchell.
6 Henry Street,
Kirriemuir.
