Sir, Thanks to The Courier’s campaign we are now seeing a sensible rethink of the city council’s decision to restructure refuse disposal in the city.
I had a letter published on April 22 expressing my concerns about the practical impact of the decision and the fact that no consultation had taken place, particularly with community councils.It is a requirement of local government on issues such as this to consult its citizens, but no consultation took place and concerns raised by many of us, including a few Broughty councillors, were dismissed by Councillors Guild and Melville.
What is particularly annoying is to read in our local paper that those very same people who arrogantly dismissed previously raised issues are now attempting to take credit for “listening to public concerns” and are now looking at the position again.
I applaud their decision to reinstate services at Baldovie and Riverside and to look again at Marchbanks, but if they are really focused on restructuring refuse disposal facilities why do they not publish a full feasibility study for consultation which includes not only disposal site proposals but also includes local refuse collection alternatives?
The recent article in The Courier with Councillor Borthwick’s photograph and statement on the Marchbanks facility is to be welcomed, but where was he back in February/March when the decisions were being taken?
As for our Friends of the Earth Tayside environmental spokesperson’s comments, where was he in February/March and do he and his colleagues live in the real world?
The recent reversal of the earlier decision will have cost considerable sums of money will we ever find out how much this farce has cost the council tax payers of Dundee?
I doubt it.
Malcolm Murray. 3 Tower Court, Ralston Road, West Ferry, Dundee.
Group thinking not decision making
Sir, In your report of Thursday night’s excellent meeting, space obviously did not allow for an account of the controversy re Perth City Hall’s revival or demolition.
In essence, the “wreckers” offer us the horrors of a protracted demolition site, very likely to close city centre businesses by scaring off shoppers, perhaps for years, followed by the building of a civic square subject to the vagaries of Scots weather and of quite unknown appeal to visitors. £4.5million is the estimated cost.
In complete contrast, the City Hall’s revival would allow flourishing markets, eg farmers’, fresh food, a re-sited tourist information complex and the redevelopment of the many good social functions fulfilled by the City Hall in years gone by. It could give healthy life to our presently ailing city centre.
Perth citizens should be able to choose one of these options, but the council have been virtually unanimous in wanting to demolish the City Hall. Perhaps an example of “group-think” psychology rather than of more-thoughtful, realistic decision making.
Isabel & Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road West, Perth.
Following the word of God
Sir, I was somewhat saddened and amused at Ernest Powrie’s letter concerning me (August 21). It is not often I am accused of not having the courage to stand by the word of God.
I would like to assure Mr Powrie that it is precisely because I hold to the word of God that I think it is wrong to support those who beat up homosexuals.
I write this as a bible believing and bible teaching Christian who accepts all that it teaches about homosexuality.
If Mr Powrie struggles to square that particular circle then I would suggest he contact me or my church directly, rather than make unwarranted accusations in the secular press.
David Robertson. 14 Shamrock Street, Dundee.
Stop drivers smoking
Sir, The latest driving legislation regarding lane hogging is, in my opinion, wrongly overpraised by Geoff Bray (Letters, August 21).
On the one hand, lane hogging is rightly criminalised, but the one effective (sometimes!) tactic for drawing a drivers attention to their antisocial behaviour, ie flashing the headlights, is also probably criminalised as “aggressive driving” it is reported.
This is just as half-baked as banning the use of handheld mobiles whilst still allowing smoking at the wheel.
A lighted cigarette end landing in a driver’s lap a not uncommon occurrence is much more distracting than a short mobile conversation. Stop drivers smoking now and clarify that warning headlamp flashing is legal.
Dr James Alcock. Bowood House, Cleish, Kinross.
Relax this old HGV limit
Sir I am sure that Councillor Roberts is right about slow-moving vehicles on the wide and well-engineered A9 being the cause of accidents through frustration at the slow progress they impose.
Unfortunately, the lower limit of 45mph he suggests is 5mph over the limit for heavy goods vehicles whose drivers risk their livelihoods if they are caught driving above that speed.
The fact is that 40mph on a good single carriageway is quite unnecessarily slow for modern HGVs. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Government could relax this limit if only on this road?
Stephen Younger. 43a Main Street, Strathkinness.