This week’s letters to The Courier start by discussing renewable energy, Dundee waterfront, recycling advice and the Liberal Democrats.
Let’s not blow it again, as we did with oil Sir,-Once again John J. Marshall has jumped on a passing bandwagon and presents himself as knowledgeable on the subject because he has googled a few facts that support his prejudices. Then he ties them up to some scary statements so that the gullible will go into a panic.
Neither the biomass plant nor the wind turbines will be on “the city’s central doorstep” or even “Dundee’s waterfront landscape”. They will be situated in Dundee’s port a working port and a historic part of the city’s industrial landscape.
Perhaps John hasn’t been down there recently but a working port is not a thing of beauty nor is it meant to be. It is an industrial area and, unsurprisingly, there are, even without wind turbines and a biomass plant, some very unattractive things there that identify the many businesses located there providing jobs for hundreds of people in Dundee.
John and the people who are now wailing about “blots on the landscape” surely cannot have been under the misapprehension that the port up to now has been some seaside idyll? Have they not noticed the tangled pipes that indicate oil refining? Or the gas tanks. Or the odd, very large oil rig that arrives regularly for refurbishing.
Does John think this should all be swept away and replaced by something more in keeping with his aesthetics? Would the people who work in the port now or who will find work in the future think this was reasonable?
Dundee has lost so many jobs in the last few years and it is now poised to capitalise on the coming boom in the manufacture of renewable energy. The port is trying to put itself in a good position to use its natural deep-water asset to be a part of it. Let’s not blow it this time by being uncompetitive that saw the oil boom bypass Dundee completely. Let’s grasp this opportunity with both hands.
John clearly does not support The Courier campaign to ‘Get Dundee Working’. Let us hope that others with more influence do.
Anya Lawrence.74b Gray Street,Broughty Ferry.
People should have their say
Sir,-It was good to see that extra money has been allocated to help speed up the development of the Dundee waterfront. However, since the original consultation with the people of Dundee there has been little advertisement of the current view from the waterfront committee and it is probably time for some further debate on the subject.
Two main factors have changed the perception of what will happen to the waterfront.
The first is the decision of the Victoria and Albert Museum to open an annex here in Dundee. This will be of great benefit to Dundee to have such a prestigious development here but how will it affect the original plans for the waterfront? We have heard that Dundee council are considering siting this somewhere on the waterfront, but where exactly?
The second is the moving of the marina to the dock area. This means that other ideas need to be sought on the original site on the plan.
Over the years Dundee City Council has given over most of the waterfront for development, and this is the last remaining part left.
The people of Dundee should be given a further say in what should happen here. The existing plans involve too much development and not enough space for people.
Richard Thomas.16 Chandlers Lane,Dundee.
Told not to, that’s why
Sir,-I read with interest the article ‘Scotland’s recycling efforts stepped up’ in Thursday’s Courier, in which a new government report stated that Scots recycle 67% of newspapers and 60% of glass, yet only 20% of plastic and 23% cardboard.
Recently Angus Council issued a new set of guidelines for the kerbside recycling service as of April 1.
In it we were informed the council can no longer accept kitchen waste in the green garden waste bin. NO fruit or veg peelings, NO tea bags, NO soil, turf or large branches. In the green recycling box we are told NOT to include cardboard or books.
Is it any wonder then that we are only recycling 23% of cardboard?
Surely it is time for a common recycling policy for the whole country and not left up to the individual councils to dictate what we can and cannot recycle?
Douglas Mill.Birkhill,Dundee.
Some things never change
Sir,-Following Thursday night’s TV debate, those who would believe Liberal leader Nick Clegg (your report April 16), when he claims that only he can deliver real change for Britain, should perhaps look back at the similar claims made by his predecessors.
Those such as Jo Grimond, Jeremy Thorpe, David Steel, Paddy Ashdown, Charles Kennedy and Menzies Campbell all of whom were professional pontificators were secure in the knowledge they would never be elected to anything, and could enjoy a political career from making meaningless pronouncements.
Nothing much changes.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.