The new week begins with letters discussing Dundee’s waterfront, faith in experts, the renewables industry, the UK Border Agency, the Lockerbie bomber’s release, and public-sector employment.
Dundee’s waterfront already has its eyesores Sir, – As a neutral observer of the spirited debate raging in these columns regarding a proposed biomass plant in Dundee, it strikes me that there are two worlds colliding here.
Upstream of the Tay road bridge, there are dreams of some sort of Barcelona-esque cultural quarter, while downriver of the bridge we already have the Nynas Camperdown distillery, huge piles of scrap, gasometers, an oil rig repair yard a typical industrial portscape.
It seems to me that while I can understand residents’ concerns about adding another eyesore to the list of those that already exist, perhaps it is a little fanciful to suggest this area will ever become anything else?
Life is a balance between the aesthetic and the necessary, and it seems to me that Dundee already has this blend. Tourists will to all intents and purposes be able to enjoy a stroll along Riverside, visit the Discovery and admire artworks in the V&A without the need to see the biomass plant (or indeed the pile of scrap) unless they really want to.
Unless Dundee is planning to rid itself of its already-existing industrial eyesores, will a biomass plant (or indeed a wind turbine) really have such a great impact on this part of the waterfront?
The other angle of attack by opponents is that emissions will pose a health risk. This is a much more serious concern, but here Mr Hosie’s response appears reasonable. If SEPA say such plants pose no health risk, then who are we as members of the public to disagree?
We live in a world where cars, buses and lorries belch pollutants into the air right outside our front doors, and we are all still here and mostly in good health.
Bob Ferguson.North Muirton,Perth.
Even experts get it wrong
Sir, – I read with interest the letter in the Courier (October 5) by Mr Stewart Hosie, MP, on the subject of toxic emissions and the proposed biomass plant at the Port of Dundee.
I am touched by his faith in the infallibility of the “experts” the same experts, presumably, who gave approval to the DERL waste-to-energy incinerator at Baldovie.
This has, in the last three years, reported breaches in emission limits for highly toxic materials on no fewer than 120 occasions. This has happened despite strict regulation by SEPA.
Is this not, in Mr Hosie’s own words, “beyond the ridiculous”?
(Prof) Andy Grieve20 Albany Road,Broughty Ferry.
Sound engineering basis is vital
Sir, – Bravo, Mr Struan Stevenson, for joining the demolition of the “wind farm” scams, both on land and sea.
When will others in power endorse such a lead on this controversial issue, upon which nothing less than our nation’s economy and power supplies in the future depend?
The appeasement of the renewables lobby, paid for by us, is an absolute folly and scandal, which should be categorically, officially abandoned and replaced by new power generation plans with a sound commercial and engineering basis.
(Dr) Charles Wardrop,Viewlands Road West, Perth.
Border Agency lacks humanity
Sir, – Re: the expulsion of the Perthshire family to Argentina (October 5), “bureaucratic bungling” is a most apt description of the UK Border Agency.
Damian Green and his pen pushers should be held to account. It is their manifest administrative failure that led to this situation. It is appalling a family making a positive contribution to society should have their lives shattered.
Another example of such obduracy is the case of Florence and Precious Mhango which has attracted adverse publicity for the Border Agency a mother and daughter who, like the Alonso family, have been well integrated into the community only to have been subjected to periods of detention centres.
There must be rules, but this intransigence, regardless of circumstances, shows a total lack of compassion or sensitivity that can only be considered inhumane.
Rev J. Harrison Hudson.22 Hamilton Avenue,Tayport.
It isn’t up to Cameron
Sir, – David Cameron’s gratuitous attack on the Scottish Government for releasing the Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds which he made at the Tory Party conference and was reported in The Courier (October 6) raised my Scottish hackles.
I was also incensed at his remark that he would not allow a similar release again. The Prime Minister has not done his homework since, if he had, he would know that the release of Scottish prisoners on compassionate grounds is the prerogative of the Scottish legal system.
J. B. MacGillivray23 Farington Street,Dundee.
Now’s the time to take action
Sir, – The report done by Lord Hutton, a former Labour Work & Pensions Secretary, states that public sector employees must pay more and work to 65 in future. In other words the same age as everyone else.
The reason for this is that successive Labour Governments have buried their heads in the sand about the costs.
Every time the subject was raised the unions threatened to strike, and then the Government backed down and put their heads back in the sand.
The other reason for the massive cost is the gross overstaffing and salary increases for senior employees well in excess of the private sector.
All sides must get a reality check and deal with the problem now!
Iain McLaren.1 Clinkerheel Drive,Birkhill.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.