Readers today are discussing cycle paths, Dundee’s City Square, the financial plight of Arbroath Sporting Club and Gordon brown’s suitability to take over as head of the International Monetary Fund.
Tax-paying cyclists have right to use road
Sir, In response to your correspondent Robert Anderson’s comments on cyclists using the A92 dual carriageway instead of the cycle path, I would like to point out that as someone who has used the path for many years now, commuting and for leisure, I, too, have seen cyclists using the road rather than the path,
These fall into two types commuters travelling between Arbroath and Dundee, usually on decent road bikes which have narrow tyres and wheels and do not like bumping up and down on every crossing between the two towns.
These people are fairly serious cyclists and the path meanders about Muirdrum crossing from one side to the other, not what you want on early mornings going to your work.
The other type is the tourist, usually loaded with luggage and probably unaware of the path.
Just another point to Mr Anderson is that the majority of cyclists are car-owning, tax-paying members of the public who choose not to use their cars all the time.
If Mr Anderson comes across a cyclist on the A92 again, I suggest he treats them like any other slow moving vehicle.
He should check his mirror and, if it is clear, pull out to the other lane and safely pass. If it is not clear, he should use his brakes until it is then safe to arrive at his destination a few seconds later.
Gary Kilcullen.22 Harris Road, Carnoustie.
A92 cycle path neglect
Sir, I write in response to Robert Anderson’s letter concerning cyclists on the A92.
He accurately points out that the road was funded by council-tax payers, local people, in other words, such as the cyclists he refers to.
Cyclists who ride on the road, rather than glorified pavements, are not motivated by a strange desire to annoy Mr Anderson.
However much it frustrates him, the road network services a demand for transportation by two wheels just as it does by four.
Does he know how often the cycle path he advocates is swept, vegetation trimmed back, and, in winter, how often it is gritted? Does he know how much extra time and inconvenience it adds to a journey?
Dedicated cycle-only facilities would be extremely popular if they were better than riding on the road because like motorists, cyclists prefer the easy option when getting from A to B.
Consequently, Mr Anderson can rest assured that cyclists are on the A92 because the A92 is the best option.
Dave McCraw.20/3 Langton Road,Edinburgh.
Delights of City Square
Sir, Your correspondent Vivian Linacre’s comment that “Dundee does have a square of sorts in front of the Caird Hall” seems to condemn Dundee’s City Square with faint praise.
I have no idea what provision for sheltered seating exists in the centre of Perth but I do know that on a warm, sunny day, sitting in the City Square watching the world go by is hard to beat.
And as for the comment that it is scarcely ever used, I am certain that the locals would dispute that, even apart from special occasions such as two televised Christmas concerts where the square and Caird Hall provided an unbeatable backdrop to the proceedings.
John Crichton.6 Northampton Place,Forfar.
Save Arbroath Sporting Club
Sir, It was kind of David Fairweather to thank your political reporter David Clegg (April 28) for referring to him as a “heavyweight hitter.”
An item in the same day’s issue described the horror and dismay of Arbroath Sporting Club when they received a letter from Angus Council informing them of a 1222% hike in their ground rent.
Perhaps Councillor Fairweather can use his heavy-hitting skills with his own political colleagues in the Angus Alliance and get the proposed £11,000 rent reduced to something nearer last year’s figure of £900.
Ron Scrimgeour.39 Gowan Rigg,Forfar.
Brown not man for IMF
Sir, As a former IMF economist can I just point out to Bob Taylor (April 28) that the post of managing director of the International Monetary Fund involves technical leadership of the institution and that is why all but one of the IMF managing directors appointed have been trained economists.
The sole exception was the first managing director, a former Belgian finance minister with a law degree as well as inter-war experience.
The only prominent politician to have held this post is the present incumbent Dominique Strauss-Kahn, from France, who is sometimes talked about as a future socialist candidate for the role of president of France.
But Strauss-Kahn, unlike Gordon Brown, is not just a former finance minister but also an academic economist.
It is the case that less prominent politicians have held the office but these were economists or central bankers.
Neil Robertson.4 Glamis Terrace,Dundee.
Question of competence
Sir,-Before he decided either that Gordon Brown’s knowledge and grasp of finances is satisfactory and that he is the right man to run the International Monetary Fund, did Bob Taylor check with his friends and family whether they would be happy if, hypothetically, their household finances were to be entrusted to the former prime minister?
(Dr) Charles Wardrop.Viewlands Road West,Perth.
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