Sir, Once again those unaccountable, faceless groups are making mischief around the A9 to the detriment of those who live and work along this essential route. No consultation has yet taken place but we are supposed to be reassured that Transport Scotland is reviewing the junctions and will report by the end of the year.
This tells everyone that funding has already been committed for a further A9 junctions review, despite there having been countless such reviews carried out over the past 15 years.
When combined with the expenditure for the useless average speed cameras, such sums could have been used to make improvements to these junctions instead of just writing more reports.
There is no doubt that road safety measures constantly need to be revised but a plan already exists to deal with the Aberuthven junction by building southbound on and off ramps at the Shinafoot underpass but only when sufficient houses have been built on the northern edge development in Auchterarder and the land has been identified for this work and may also have been acquired.
Without such an alternative junction arrangement it would be outrageous for Transport Scotland to close off any part of the Aberuthven junction, especially as the minor roads between Dunning and Auchterarder are in dire need of attention and Perth and Kinross Council has no current plans for improvements.
Our elected members, at all levels, need to get involved promptly to bring these unelected people to heel and stop any untimely closures of A9 junctions before it is too late.
Colin Young. Meadowland, Dunning.
Why should I accept “wrong” decision?
Sir, There have been a lot of letters in The Courier recently saying that “yes” voters in the referendum should accept the democratic decision of the people and stop moaning.
When the referendum was agreed, David Cameron said it was a decision for the people of Scotland to make and that was fine, until it began to look as though the people of Scotland might make the “wrong” decision.
Then the full power of the British state, with the support of allies in the media, big business, finance and political friends around the world, was brought to bear to bring about the “correct” result. Culminating, a few days before the referendum, in a gunboat full of Labour MPs being sent from London, to quell the uprising.
Clearly the British state were not prepared to accept that the people of Scotland might make the “wrong” decision; so why should I?
Les Mackay. 5 Carmichael Gardens, Dundee.
SNP will not disappear after just one result
Sir, The Scottish National Party and its membership sign up to delivering independence for Scotland with fairness in governance and the ability to ensure a more equal society for those that live here.
The outcome of the close referendum result may ensure some of those wishes that the SNP stand for might be delivered, but at this time the situation remains fluid due to the obstinacy of Westminster politicians to agree to terms.
Let us be abundantly clear that the Scottish National Party has no intention of giving up independence for the sake of one referendum result and this is just a period of “limbo” in ensuring Scots get what they were promised by Brown & Co.
Voracious “no” voters who wish to see the extinction of the SNP will be sorely disappointed as the campaign for independence will continue, with other likewise thinking “yes” voters.
Bob Harper. 63a Pittenweem Road, Anstruther.
Wrong to think of giving out more power
Sir, Which one of us who voted to remain within the United Kingdom could dare to trust a First Minister who does not believe in the democratic voting system (particularly the referendum), and whose only policy would appear to be the establishment of an independent state, contrary to the will of the Scots people, under the banner of devolution, with a codicil demanding the Scottish Government have sole decision on a future referendum.
The future for British Scots would appear to be grim indeed as those who wished to remain as partners within the United kingdom may have to suffer the wrath and retribution of a defeated political party.
In the circumstances the Scottish nationalist government should be seen as what it is, hardly competent. There is no need for deep examination to see that health, welfare, education, and police while centrally controlled are not performing well under the current devolutionary power, so it would beincompetence to think of giving out more power without proof of their ability to run the country successfully.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
Interesting, but too much “by accident” . . .
Sir, Human Universe on BBC2, Tuesday October 14, with Professor Brian Cox was very interesting, well choreographed and filmed at a number of exotic locations.
However, the narrative contained too many repetitions of the words “by accident” when referring to evolutionary events and left me unconvinced as to a purely scientific solution.
A multiverse without purpose “For the Dawn of Nothing Oh, make haste!” I think not Professor Cox, but please do keep seeking for a “final unified theory”.
Kenneth Miln. 22 Fothringham Drive, Monifieth.
Beauly – Denny line is now a Trojan Horse
Sir, Your report on plans for a major wind farm in West Perthshire (Turbines impact warning, October 14), makes the point that, although previous applications in this area have been rejected, “the landscape is now scarred” by the Beauly – Denny line.
This is a recurring theme across much of Scotland, including on those remote areas of wild land which the John Muir Trust strives to protect. As soon as a single development is given the go-ahead the entire area then becomes a magnet for developers, who justify their proposals on the grounds that the landscape is already blighted.
During the controversy over its construction, developers and politicians insisted that the Beauly – Denny line was merely an upgrade to existing infrastructure and would have minimal impact on the landscape of West Perthshire and other areas.
Now the giant pylons and power lines are being used to defend further damage to the landscape. The Beauly – Denny line has become a Trojan Horse, throwing the gates open for a procession of developers to lay siege to those areas which it cuts through.
In our experience, even sensitively sited developments are later used to justify new applications for more obtrusive projects. The danger for developers of this logic is that communities and conservation charities will be wary of any developments, of whatever scale or merit, on sensitive landscapes.
Helen McDade. Head of Policy, John Muir Trust.
Shale power plants can slash prices
Sir, In another move towards fracking in Scotland, Ineos, the operator of the Grangemouth site, has increased its shale gas exploration licences. This is good news for all those who work at Grangemouth and the thousands of sub-contractors.
It is also good news for those of us who can see the “lights going out” because of the SNP’s obsession with the unreliable, expensive and subsidised wind turbines.
As shown in America, shale gas power plants can slash electricity prices.
Dan Arnott. St Brycedale Court, Kirkcaldy.