Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Yet again we have another report from Perth & Kinross Council congratulating themselves because Perth’s shop vacancy rate is lower than the national average. The council spokesperson is quoted as saying it was significantly lower than elsewhere.
I would hardly call the difference between 11.3% and 9.47% as being a significant amount. It’s certainly not a figure to be proud of.
Whenever we are shown a picture of our High Street, it’s always from Marks and Spencer upwards. It’s not a true representation.
Our councillors, instead of sitting in their offices reading reports, need to venture out of their comfortable offices and take a walk around the centre and talk to all the retailers.
Perth’s independent traders play a prominent part in its economy. The truth of the matter is, yes there are new shops opening in the centre, but the problem we face is a lack of footfall.
You can wander round Perth at any time of the day and the streets are deserted. Until the council sorts out the basics such as parking, then things will remain the same.
No doubt we will soon be bombarded with reports about how successful the free parking we are being offered over the festive season has encouraged shoppers to visit Perth. As far as I can see, the council have chosen times that will mean the least loss of revenue to themselves.
As a shopkeeper I would like to think it would encourage people to come to Perth but, having spoken to many customers, the free parking times are of no use to them.
Whenever the council talk about the centre we always hear what a vibrant shopping centre it is. They are trading on Perth’s past reputation, not the one it has now.
It’s a real shame for all the hard-working independent stores that nobody takes on board what we have to say.
Laura Wilson.Perth.
Budget cuts must not affect road safety
Sir, – I concur fully with the views of Dr Norma H Smith (November 27) regarding the disappearing cats’ eyes and faded road markings, but the problem applies to all roads and not only the A90 between Dundee and Perth.
Surely the white lines for lane and edge markings could incorporate some type of reflective material?
Of particular concern to me is the total lack of street lighting at what I find to be a particularly hazardous junction, which is at the Dundee side of the Friarton bridge.
The exit on to the A85 from the A90 (at the start of the M90) for traffic heading into Perth should be a priority for the installation of lighting before a serious accident occurs.
No doubt there are many other examples which others may be able to illustrate, but I would suggest that safety, road signage and lighting should not be victims of budget cuts.
Ian Sansom.116 Stormont Road,Scone.
FoI figure not a true one
Sir, – Jenny Hjul writes (November 28) that staff at the Scottish Parliament visit Facebook on average 45 times a day.
She says this figure is “incredible”. It is not only incredible, it is also untrue.
The Scottish Parliament does not hold figures for how often each website is visited, as was made clear in the relevant Freedom of Information release.
The figures provided were for server requests. I have just looked at one Facebook page. That single act generated 61 requests.
If Ms Hjul had read the relevant FoI release, or if she knew anything about web technology, she would realise why “45 visits per day” is nonsense.
James Christie.2 Dryburgh Crescent,Perth.
Grateful for the NHS
Sir, – I would like to say thank you to the Neurosurgery Clinic at Ward 23b, Ninewells Hospital.
I had to have an MRI scan for severe back pain which highlighted I needed emergency surgery to my spine. This was obviously a very worrying time.
Dr Ballantine and the neurosurgery team and all the staff that I met at Ward 23b helped me greatly.
My recovery is going well and I felt it was important to say thank you for such an amazing service that we get for free.
I had a very positive experience during a stressful time and I just wanted to express my gratitude to my local GPs and the team at Ninewells.
Mandy McLernon.67 Millfield Road,Arbroath.
That is how they know
Sir, – Regarding Mike Scott-Hayward’s query: “How do they know this?” (November 28), he has evidently not noticed that all ballot papers bear a number, which corresponds (reading upside down) to the number against the voter’s name on the presiding officer’s list at the ballot station.
It is feasible, therefore, to know the way any voter has voted. That this would be taken advantage of seemed unlikely to me but, given that the Department of Social Work is aware, then evidently it has no doubt made possible, I assume, by the Freedom of Information Act.
Leslie Milligan.18b Myrtlehall Gardens,Dundee.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.