This morning’s letters turn attention to planning proposals at Dundee port, obesity, drugs in prison and the Scottish economy.
Dundee must be seen to be open for business
Sir,-I was brought up in Craigiebank and have lived all over Dundee. I now live in Broughty Ferry.
I am very disappointed with what I have heard about the residents who are campaigning against the turbines at Dundee port.
Of course, there are residents who have concerns about the siting of the turbines and Forth Ports will have to do more to convince everyone of the benefits of the proposals, but this is just a small part of a much bigger picture.
It is important for people in Dundee to think big. There is a lot of negativity here, a lot of folk who talk down Dundee.
There are also the kind of attitudes which scared away Ford as a potential employer; who promptly took hundreds of jobs promised to Dundee to Portugal.
We must convince the world that Dundee is a can-do place with massive potential and a hugely skilled workforce waiting to show what we can do here.
When I was brought up in a pre-fab in Strips of Craigie Road, and then in Dean Avenue, I could hear the busy shipyard and see the arc lights at night.
It has been a long time since Dundee had that kind of industry on its riverfront and I can remember the bitter fight to keep the Caledon shipyard and later Kestrel Marine.
Dundee lost out on the oil industry to Aberdeen purely on location criteria but now there is a prize within our grasp, a new industry which Dundee port is superbly placed to play a big part in renewable energy.
It is not a dirty industry or a hazardous one. Embracing renewables will present a picture of Dundee as a place where major companies can do business. Dundee needs those jobs. Many are good-quality engineering opportunities.
The biomass plant and the wind turbines are, therefore, crucial to convincing major companies to come to Dundee. It is ridiculous to complain that these kinds of activities are not suited for a working port. Where else should they be sited?
Andrew Scott.20 Morlich Gardens,Broughty Ferry.
Walk a bit to beat obesity
Sir,-I am saddened to see the Scottish populace become so thin-skinned and averse to criticism that they would rather stick their heads in the sand and become another heart attack statistic rather than listen to some sound medical advice about their weight (April 16).
In recent years, the number of people of a normal weight has dropped dramatically, even in this area.
I remember when obese Americans were looked down upon and joked about. Sadly, it seems the joke is on Scotland now and its people cannot see the truth.
If attitudes do not change, and soon, then the average life expectancy in Scotland will be lower than some Third World nations due to heart attacks and strokes caused by excessive weight and poor diet.
Perhaps refusal to listen to medical advice about weight should result in a charge if admitted to hospital due a medical condition caused by weight.
It seems that this country needs a strong dose of old-fashioned, straight-talking, tough love rather than the current fad for molly-coddling.
Weight loss is not always easy but walking places instead of taking the bus or car would be a good start for many. Walk the kids to school rather than drive a quarter or half a mile.
John Phillip.22 Glenmoy Terrace,Forfar.
Unwinnable drugs battle
Sir,-With reference to your article about the drugs toll at Perth Prison, given the number of prisoners involved in the mis-use of drugs entering the prison on a daily basis, it would be a miracle if drugs were not being smuggled in.
If it were not for the friends, acquaintances and family members, plus those individuals who carry drugs internally when admitted to prison, there would be no drug problem.
Prison staff have a thankless task in doing all they can to reduce access to drugs but it is a reflection of our society that people inside will continue to access drugs by whatever means.
T. Pitt.6 Harbour Road,Paisley.
Stimulate Scots economy
Sir,-I fully endorse calls by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce for a rapid expansion in the delivery of public infrastructure projects in Scotland.
The long-term health of the Scottish economy relies on continued investment in major capital projects alongside new schools, hospitals and housing.
The Scottish Building Federation is fully aware of the pressure the public finances are under with £3 billion of cuts to the Scottish budget forecast between 2011 and 2014.
We have set out our own proposals on ways to save public money, such as restructuring Scottish Water, and innovative mechanisms for mobilising private capital to supplement public capital spending, notably the creation of a national infrastructure investment bank, which the Scottish Futures Trust could play a crucial role in delivering.
Whatever action is taken, ensuring a consistent flow of construction projects to support an industry that continues to make a major contribution to jobs, skills and GDP in Scotland must be a priority.
As the Institute of Directors has also pointed out, the more quickly we can expand investment in capital infrastructure, the more quickly we will set the economy on a path to long-term sustainable economic growth.
Michael Levack.Chief Executive,Scottish Building Federation,Crichton House,4 Crichton’s Close,Edinburgh.