Sir, Referring to Dundee City Council’s decision to effectively close two garden refuse sites, it is a pity that Councillor Melville turns a practical issue into a political tirade against Councillor Scott for having the temerity to raise a genuine issue on behalf of the residents in Broughty Ferry whom he represents.
This has nothing to do with political posturing and it is an interesting fact that none of the other councillors in the Ferry has spoken out which does beg the question as to where their loyalties lie party or residents?
No one denies that the city council has a difficult job in balancing their budget in the current economic climate but Finance Secretary John Swinney, unlike his enigmatic boss, has been consistent with his approach to freezing council tax over the past few years.
However, in setting local grant levels he has challenged councils to meet rising costs through efficiency savings and certainly not through direct service cuts. The amount that has had to be saved from the environmental services budget, £273,000, is a relatively modest amount in relation to the overall budget and a significant part of this reflects the decision to re-arrange the services in such a way that the largest part of the cost savings has simply been transferred to the consumer.
Of course no criticism is worth its salt unless an alternative solution is put forward so why, for example, did the director not negotiate with Angus Council to allow Broughty residents to use the facilities in Monifieth? A relatively small cost would have been involved as all the services are already there. Judging from the response from an Angus County spokesman this was never even considered.
In addition I go back to my original suggestion of three collections during the growing season which would significantly reduce the need to use the refuse sites by those with large gardens.
Malcolm D Murray. Tower Court, Ralston Road, Dundee.
A pathetic performance
Sir, Having thrust off the soporific effects of the Scottish Labour Party Conference, I can only wonder at the total collapse of their political credibility. Throughout they failed to come up with a single original constructive policy; this despite having the largest total of Scottish representatives from north and south of the border present.
Their sole target was the SNP whom they attacked relentlessly, even on policies beneficial to the people of Scotland. We witnessed Willie Bain, in interview, crassly declaring: “We must identify areas of social need!” Open your eyes Willie! Your constituency is Springburn, one of the most deprived in the UK.
We saw Gordon Mathieson, arch-squanderer of the public purse, quite unrepentant and whining for more to splatter on the walls of Glasgow.
Perhaps most damning of all, we saw the Miliband/ Lamont love-in. For a party, which once embraced the hopes and dreams of the Scottish working class, this was pathetic.
Underlying it all was Labour’s acceptance of a besmirched donation to the “No” campaign, after savaging the reputation of that very donor, when he gave to the Tories! The electorate must ask: is Labour’s hypocrisy endemic to their very core?
Joseph G Miller. 44 Gardeners Street, Dunfermline.
Gaelic more effective ways
Sir, Regarding John Morrison’s letter about road signs in Gaelic, in saying that the cost is already budgeted for, he surely hasn’t reckoned in the increase in size to accommodate two languages. He has perhaps, assumed that councils have a rolling programme of replacement which is far from the truth.
Road signs are largely replaced when damaged by accident, vandalism or succumb to old age which would lead to a real dog’s breakfast of single and dual language signs. The responsibility for this decision must rest with Perth and Kinross Council. Brd na Gidhlig has approved Gaelic language plans from other councils without such a radical signage policy.
It seems to me that there are more effective ways of encouraging and supporting interest in Gaelic than this. The money could be spent more usefully in education and cultural areas.
The sign at Junction Road, Kinross, where it meets Station Road has been badly vandalised. I await with curiosity the new dual language sign to see if it is a translation or merely a transliteration. Both ‘junction’ and ‘station’ are not English in origin and I am intrigued to know how Gaelic deals with such Latinity.
George Hayton. 6 Montgomery Way, Kinross.
A parking idea for South Inch
Sir, Perth and Kinross Council is looking for ways of revitalising Perth city centre. So many shops are closing that boarded-up shops or charity shops are everywhere.
It might help to attract drivers away from the edge-of-town supermarkets if some free parking were provided. Not too far from South Street and the High Street is the extensive car park at the South Inch. It has been greatly underused since it was brought up to standard and parking charges introduced.
If parking were free there, it would attract more motorists to shop in the centre, unharassed by traffic wardens and worries about running out of parking time. It would also take more cars out of the centre itself, making life easier for local traffic and short-term parkers.
George K McMillan. 5 Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.
Accident waiting to happen
Sir, Now that the new road layout is finally taking shape on the Kingsway at Myrekirk Road, I am fearful that the way this has been set up will lead to many accidents and even pedestrian casualties.
The Kingsway, a dual-carriageway, runs down to this roundabout then, just as it reaches it, turns into three lanes. Common sense, traffic flow and driving protocol, would all suggest that the extreme left lane be clearly signed and marked as a left turn only, (onto the Myrekirk road), lane.
However, this is not the case. The lanes have been painted to show that all three lanes can be used to go straight on, down the Kingsway towards the Perth roundabout. However, as soon as the traffic enters the roundabout, the lines then change to show there are only two lanes on the roundabout itself and indeed the next stretch of the Kingsway. Thus, any cars in the left lane, looking to go straight on, must then suddenly slew back onto the roundabout, into what had been the middle lane, with no time or space to make proper indication for vehicles that have also left the junction and are already in this “middle” lane.
I appreciate there are traffic lights still to come into play, but this will not prevent the three-lane-into-two-lane snarl-ups from occurring. Adding to this the way the traffic lights have been situated before the roundabout, on the roundabout and again immediately after it turns onto the eastbound Kingsway with a pedestrian crossing right at the roundabout itself it hardly bodes well for either pedestrians or motorists. Surely a pedestrian fly-over would have been a far safer option here?
Joe Lamb. 292 Rosemount Road, Dundee.
Cyclists should be absolved of any blame!
Sir, Cyclists have been getting a bad press lately despite the fact that cyclists are saving the planet with their “lower carbon profile”. I write in defence of the cycling fraternity and urge for changes in the law.
Cyclists should be allowed to jump red lights and be absolved from any subsequent blame. Pedestrians, especially those with prams, must give way to those cycling on the pavement even if this means stepping onto a busy road.
Pedestrians on Pelican or Zebra crossings must give way to cyclists. Abolish Regulation 69 of the Highway Code, which says that cyclists must obey all traffic signs and traffic lights.
Dangerous cycling is punishable by a fine of £2,500, careless cycling £1,000 and cycling on pavement £500. This draconian clause must be removed.
When the lights go out as the UK closes coal-fired power plants because of EU diktats, cyclists can be linked up to generators and they can pedal away to their hearts’ content and keep the lights on for a grateful nation.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
Real reason for council plan?
Sir, With reference to your article, Leaflet move slated as ‘dangerous’, in Friday’s Courier (April 19), about council information pamphlets being affixed to car windscreens, is Mr Mitchell, the lead professional with Fife Council, not being more than economical with the truth, when he pretends that this is being done in order to relieve the police of this onerous duty?
It is more likely the truth is that Fife Council has merely followed the lead of other local authorities in using the decriminalisation of parking legislation to help fill up their coffers.
Try pulling the other leg Mr Mitchell.
Allan Murray. 44 Napier Road, Glenrothes.
One rule for ospreys…
Sir, I was both shocked and appalled to read that Lady the osprey has now brought her “tally” of offspring to 66. Not only do we idly sit by and let her carry on with her mating exploits we almost seem to be celebrating it.
I would like to know how much her antics cost the tax-payer in welfare payments etc as it would appear there’s no sign of a father figure in the family bringing in a weekly wage.
Yet again under this government it would appear there’s one rule for ageing ospreys on Loch of the Lowes and another rule for the honest, hard-working families of this country.
David Gorman. Glenrothes.
Quote of the week?
Sir, Re Friday’s item, Concern at shortage of burial plots, and the quote from Kinghorn councillor George Kay: “I have been given figures which suggest there’s up to two years’ life left in Kinghorn Cemetery.”
Hmmm!
Aase Goldsmith. Largoward.