Today’s letters to The Courier.
Depending on satnavs no use if routes alterSir, There are probably more people than not who cope well with the new road layout at the Tay Road Bridge. Problem is, in this country most are more apt to complain and say nothing when things go right. I used the new layout at the weekend and found nothing wrong with it. One only has to read the signs and act in good time. Llike most, though, I must admit at times I have seen myself going one way when it was the other road I should have taken. Most are used to being in one lane which now goes in a different direction. I wonder how many drivers went the wrong way because they are using sat navs, which need updating with the new directions. With this in mind, what I find rather humorous is people using satnavs going to work. They travel the same route daily yet the toy on the dash has taken over from their senses. Heading for the bridge, the satnav says go one way, yet the signs say go the other. Of course, by this time they are in the Overgate! All I can say is: believe your eyes.
John Montgomery.24 March CrescentCellardykeDisplay estimated delay timesSir, On Saturday I had to be at Edinburgh Airport for 13.15. The journey normally takes a one hour and has never taken more than one hour and forty minutes. As I left Perth, the large sign on the A85 at the junction with the M90 said: “In Town Slow Down”. As we reached the area of Kinross, the sign said “Long Delays on Forth Bridge”. After two and half hours we were in a traffic jam still well short of the Forth Bridge. May I advise those who decide what should be on these signs to warn drivers earlier and say how long the delay is estimated to be. I have never had such a long delay in the past. We turned back at the Rosyth junction. I wonder how many missed their planes, who would not have done so if told of the estimated delay time.
Garry Barnett.The Garden House,Campsie Hill,Guildtown.Failed to foresee tricky situationSir, At the risk of rubbing salt into open wounds, and not wanting to appear to belittle anyone, the story of the argument between the two “mediums” and Cancer Research UK (October 7) caused me some thought. First, I think it was a bad choice of a charity shop chain to advertise a campaign for contacting those who have died in agony, as cancer is surely not the answer to the Catholic prayers for a happy death. Second, on a lighter note, it struck me that if these two people really do have the power to contact the dead and perhaps see into the future, why then were they not able to see this situation arising?
Geoff Bray.Heather Croft,Letham, Forfar.Most trains do not stop at stationsSir, It is hardly surprising that so few people use the Golf Street, Barry Links and Balmossie Halt rail stations. This is all the fault of bizarre timetabling. Of all the trains that pass through every day, only one in either direction actually stops. The westbound service calls at Barry Links at 6.18am, and arrives at Dundee at 6.36. For the vast majority of potential passengers, i.e. those commuting to work for “normal” hours, it is therefore completely useless. The eastbound service leaves Dundee at 6.54pm, reaching Barry Links at 7.10, which is not quite as bad; but if one has already travelled to work by other means, why would one choose the train for the return trip? When I first moved to Carnoustie, there were several local trains between Dundee and Arbroath each day, all of which stopped at these three stations (and at Broughty Ferry as well). These were operated by the much-maligned British Rail.
(Dr) Richard A’Brook.82 Thomas Street,Carnoustie.Support would pay health dividendSir, Today is World Mental Health Day. Research by the National Autistic Society Scotland found that 54% of adults with autism do not have enough support to meet their needs. Some 57% say they have had anxiety due to a lack of support, and 31% say they have experienced serious mental health problems. The right support at the right time would prevent thousands of people with autism from developing mental health problems. It could also go a long way to save the Government millions, if not billions, of pounds each year.
Ann Barrett.Branch Officer,National AutisticSociety,Perth.No time for this strange ideaSir, The BBC suggests adopting a new terminology for the dates/years in case some minorities are unhappy with BC and AD. There is something wrong with that notion in relation to Christmas. Shops are full of festive goods. Hotels advise booking now for parties. Cards and gifts are on display. Before Christ and Anno Domini, the year of Our Lord, are the traditionally relevant time/date concepts for the very great majority of us, so why stop using BC and AD?
Mrs Isabel Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road, Perth.
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