Sir, While I have a great deal of sympathy for those poor unfortunate folk in Stonehaven who were flooded out after the recent rainfall, some for the second time in three years, I feel suing the Aberdeenshire Council is perhaps hitting only one target in all of this.
A friend of mine who lives in the town makes a valid point when he says that flooding has become worse since the housing development at Braehead, high above the town, was completed. This begs the question, where do the storm drains from this development deposit their contents? Into the River Carron?
One would hope not but if this is the case, this could result in a sudden upsurge of water affecting the river level and thus cause the flooding.
Before the houses were built there would have been a slow, natural seepage of rain water into the ground and only when the fields became sodden would it exit downhill towards the river and the town.
So perhaps the affected residents should be directing their ire at those members of the planning committee who passed the plans to build at Braehead plus the developer who built the houses.
Robert T Smith. 30 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen.
New year, new hope same old service
Sir, Standing on a cold, grey, wet Commercial Street in Dundee city centre on January 2, waiting in vain for a number 4 bus to forgotten Dryburgh, I began to reminisce about the good old days way back in 2012 when the bus could be depended on depended on to be late or not appear at all, that is.
When the all-pervasive smell of humanity mixed with the aroma of stale tobacco, stale beer, carry out meals and plain old-fashioned BO could stifle one’s every breath on the bus.
When the ear was assaulted by oral inanities, swear words and great announcements into mobile phones.
We were treated in 2012 to some of the grumpiest drivers ever experienced who looked at you as if you were something the cat brought in, especially if you showed them a day saver. That is if they even acknowledged your existence.
Ah, 2012, when we learnt exactly what the words “public service” or “bus service” really stood for. It obviously means, as we now know: “We will be there for you as long as we can make money out of you. If we can’t, then goodbye.”
It means: “Even if we announce record profits for 2012 we will still want more from you in 2013. So we intend milking you for every penny you have and the local government can’t touch us.”
We enter a new year with confidence, with energy and excitement. Out with the old and in with the new. I, for one, begin 2013 with much hope and expectation…whilst standing waiting in the cold for a number 4 bus that did not arrive.
Arthur Gall. 14D Pitalpin Court, Dundee.
Not sure they have it right
Sir, The health police rant on about the life-shortening dangers of carrying excess weight but looking round my golf club and recalling my parish funerals I am not so sure.
I am certain I buried just as many rake-thin parishioners as heavyweights before their three score years and ten.
Yet another US report advocates being a tad above one’s body mass index and I have stuck it with a magnet to the fridge door in the hope of convincing “she who must be obeyed”.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
A compromise is needed
Sir, Re the letter from GM Lindsay (January 3), I suggest that Mr Lindsay pops into his local SEPA office where he would find out why councils and landowners are no longer legally allowed to carry out dredging of river beds. The practice, which was common for centuries, allowed the dredged material to be used for various local metalled road projects, building work and let the water flow freely, thereby preventing or reducing flooding.
Does he remember the Harry Ford which daily dredged the Tay and its cargo of Tay soft sand which was in demand all over by builders and greenkeepers for its quality?
They are all things and jobs of the past which are no longer allowed by SEPA in the interests of river wildlife habitats. A compromise needs to be achieved between SEPA and councils in river and water management.
Andrew Stirrat. Rhynd, Perth.
Local councils had it covered
Sir, I fully agree with the letter from James C T Angus (December 29). In the days of the local councils, dredging or clearing debris and vegetation from streams and watercourses took place on a regular basis during the summer months, which enabled any excess water from rainfall or melting snow to clear away without any flooding or disruption.
One only needs to look at any watercourse and they will find them littered with fallen branches, leaves and rubbish. Another example of where basic common sense has disappeared to make way for “job creation” legislation!
John McDonald. 14 Rosebery Court, Kirkcaldy.