Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, We are extremely disappointed that the Court of Session has dismissed the legal challenge against the Scottish Government’s inclusion of the proposed new coal-fired power station at Hunterston in the National Planning Framework.
This decision goes to show how profoundly undemocratic the planning and legal systems can be, and how incredibly difficult it is for the ordinary individual or other parties to access the courts or challenge poor decision-making or process.
However, this does not mean that Peel Energy’s plan for Hunterston will now go ahead. It could, and should, still be refused.
The fact that there have been around 20,000 objections, and that the Scottish Parliament has voted against it, shows just how unwanted it is.
Scotland does not need new, polluting coal-fired power stations. Authoritative research from GL Garrad Hassan, one of the world’s leading energy consultants, has shown that improved energy efficiency and demand reduction measures, coupled with increased use of Scotland’s wealth of renewable energy sources, will be more than adequate to meet Scotland’s future electricity requirements.
Stan Blackley.Chief executive,Friends of the Earth Scotland.
Overhead figures for aircraft
Sir, In Bill Duthies’s letter (October 3) he asks: ”How many planes (fly) daily in continental Europe?”
I would suggest he goes to www.flightradar24.com which gives ”live” information on all flights currently aloft over any given area.
For example I have just checked and at time of typing this, the answer was 1,543.
You can also zoom in to a chosen area and, by clicking on any of the planes aloft, you then get full details of that flight.
This is a great time-wasting site for anyone interested in flying matters or just for charting the progress of friends and family on their way to holiday destinations.
Bob Wilson.39 Maule Street,Monifieth.
Co-op precedent for the Tories
Sir, One problem which has been highlighted by Murdo Fraser’s opponents in the campaign for Scottish Conservative leader is that even if he won it would take a two-thirds majority to wind up the party, and that might not be forthcoming.
However, I believe the Conservatives’ opponents have long ago answered that. The Co-operative Party is both part of the Labour movement and a legally separate organisation but the distinction on the ground is effectively non-existent.
This may seem to be a historical anachronism, though occasionally they have threatened to make use of it, in a less than ethical way, by renaming Labour regional list candidates.
At least in the short term it would then be easier to attract groups, such as UKIP, to form a ”big tent” organisation. With five elected parties in Scotland, there must be a niche for one that understands Adam Smith.
Neil Craig.200 Woodlands Road,Glasgow.
Ticket machines keep change
Sir, I read with dismay that Vinci is to be charging an extra 10p for parking at Ninewells Hospital after their last increase in December.
If they consider that it is a justified increase, then the least they could do would be to install ticket machines which give change.
Robert D. Bruce.Inshriach,Auchterhouse.
Anomalies in new train fares
Sir, I have been reading with interest that more trains will stop at Broughty Ferry Station from the start of the winter timetable.
Keen to support the local station, I had a look for direct services to/from Glasgow in mid-December for my wife and myself.
A train leaving the Ferry at 07.41 with a return service at 17.11 from Glasgow Queen Street seemed perfect.
Then I had a look at the fares, £15.10 single to Glasgow and £23.90 for the single back to the Ferry, a total of £78 for two a bit much.
So I had a look at going from Dundee. It is £6.20 single going on the same train which had just stopped in the Ferry for a fare of £15.10.
If we travel at 16.41 or 17.41 for return to Dundee instead of 17.11, which admittedly is the peak time, a single is also £6.20.
That’s a total of £24.80 for both of us. Even adding just over £5 for the bus into and back from Dundee, we will be paying £48 more to use the Ferry station.
Can someone also explain why to travel from Dundee to Aberdeen is £6.20 single, yet from Broughty Ferry (nearer to Aberdeen) it is £10.20 single? We are told the increase in services stopping at the Ferry is on a trial basis for one year.
It is hard to see it being a great success with fares such as these.
Les Wilson.2 Norrie Street,Broughty Ferry.
Golf fans were in the way
Sir, I was employed as steward at a recent golf competition in Courier Country.
What amazed me was the number of people milling around wanting autographs/photographs of golfers and celebrities.
Golf enthusiasts were pushed out of the way so these people could follow their obsession.
I asked what they did with the end product. They said it was bound for eBay.
J. Neil Murray.8 Charles Street,Pittenweem.
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.