Sir, Shipping containers have been with us since the Sixties. Even to the extent of Freightliner containers which were loaded at the point of production on special trailers then motored to the nearest Freightliner crane, where they were, in turn, loaded on flatbed rolling-stock for inter-city travel.
At journey’s end, another depot crane shifted them to trailers for distribution to their intended destinations within a particular city or its immediate surrounding area.
What an incredibly carbon emission-efficient way of conveying goods! Why have a hundred road vehicles spewing filth into the air, when one locomotive can suffice? But is this encouraged in any way by the current government?
If our carbon footprint really matters that much, given the green taxes we endure and with the billions intended for a high-speed train connection, would it not make more sense to extend the Freightliner idea with this money and expand the reach of our rail network?
Could we not, by gradual implementation, ban the inter-city transportation of goods by road, even to the point of making it illegal?
If such were done, we could reduce our carbon footprint much more than by having hideous arrays of wind turbines marring our skyline in every corner of the land.
And why not extend this philosophy to inter-city car travel?
We have the car-transportation technology used for the Channel Tunnel. If the cost of using this method was made much less than that for the petrol required, I am sure many would opt for it.
On the downside, however, that may require subsidy by the taxpayer!
Leslie Milligan. 18b Myrtlehall Gardens, Dundee.
The next PPI type scandal?
Sir, Why do we require more wind turbines? I am very disappointed by the UK and Scottish governments’ lemming-like fascination for installing further wind turbines in the UK and Scotland.
When the wind does blow we already have sufficient wind turbine generating capacity to more than cover our actual wind power requirements, in fact we are already paying turbine operators not to generate electricity because we cannot use all the existing wind turbine generating capacity.
Therefore, for all future wind turbine installations, not only will the operators receive vast subsidies to cover the cost of the installation, but for the next 20 years they will be paid not to produce any electricity from these turbines.
These vast subsidies will all be funded from the higher costs we, as customers, have to pay.
To describe this situation as a grievous waste of money and resources is being very generous. Perhaps the mis-selling of supposed green energy will become the next PPI-type scandal.
George O’Brien. Guerdon Cottage, School Green, Anstruther.
Beer price only an example
Sir, I see Mr Malcolm has resorted to slating Scotland and in particular Edinburgh, Scots should have it so much better (letters, January 18). Is he implying someone else is to blame for the present state of our country?
The price of beer was not a concern but an example of the cost of living in Norway. Yes Edinburgh might be a little more expensive than the rest of the country, but again using beer as an example, it is still only one third of the Norwegian price! Also the rates in our capital are very high which pushes the price of everything up.
The lengthy statistical tirade is typical of the yes brigade. If Norway is such an attractive place to live I suggest he emigrates!
I noted, however, he chose to ignore all the other points in my letter, maybe the truth hurts?
Having worked in several parts of the world including Norway I can only conclude by saying I am extremely happy living here in Scotland as part of the UK.
Charles Henderson. 5 High Street, Auchtermuchty.
This is Scotland not Norway
Sir, I agree wholeheartedly that Norway is a fine country and one I have visited on numerous occasions. Norwegian culture and lifestyle is indeed exemplary. I love it. And, yes, the high cost of living is offset by relatively high salaries.
However, this is Scotland, not Norway. Before we get carried away and begin the march to the promised land let’s take a look at how the model fits our own wee country.
If we were to adopt the high salary, high taxation strategy what does this do to Scotland’s business sector?
The Scottish Government’s own figures show that 35% of our private sector employment comes from enterprises originating outside Scotland. Indeed, 19% of jobs come from companies outwith Scotland but in the rest of the UK.
Now, Mr Salmond is fond of telling us that everybody wants to open up businesses here and they’ll be flocking to Scotland in their droves come independence day.
Current and new investors will be happy to soak up the inflated wage bill and will no doubt be scrapping with one another for the chance to start up businesses in the dearest wee country in the world. Aye, right.
I leave you with this sobering thought. £7 a pint. Crivvens!
A Shepherd. Manor Street, Forfar.
Decision beggars belief
Sir, The recent story that JD Wetherspoon has been allowed to open a pub at an M40 service station beggars belief.
At a time when society is being encouraged to adopt a zero tolerance towards drink-driving because of the large number of deaths caused by motorists under the influence of drink, here we find temptation being unnecessarily put in people’s way.
It could be argued that motorists have the choice whether to imbibe or not, but at a time when we are trying to stamp out drink-driving this decision seems pure folly.
Of course, in my opinion, the real villains in all of this are the planners/licensing bodies who gave the go ahead for this to happen. It only serves to enhance my belief that many local planning and licensing authorities are often at odds with their own council’s and the general public’s views.
Robert T Smith. 30 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen.
Get them to sort out the weather
Sir, Theological discussions with Christian fundamentalists convinced me that the advantage of advancing irrational theories is that they are impervious to rational argument.
I had feelings of dj vu when global-warming alarmism became fashionable and the “scientifically-challenged” claimed industrial carbon was driving climate change.
If religious extremists and the odd UKIP member now blame gays for hurricanes it might be useful to lock them in a padded cell with climate alarmists to sort out the weather.
Rev Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
Never had cause to complain
Sir, I completely agree with Flo Dargie’s letter (January 21)regarding the Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus.
My wife and I have had many meals in the Red House over the years and never had any cause to complain.
Alan and his staff are always very welcoming and go out of their way to make sure everyone enjoys the food and their visit to what is a very pleasant and welcoming hotel.
John Davidson. Scott Street, Perth.
Always enjoyed our meal there
Sir, We were shocked to read the review on the Red House Hotel in Coupar Angus in last Saturday’s Courier. We have gone there for years and have never ever had a bad meal or felt the need to complain.
We were there last week with my sister and her husband and again we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
The staff are always very accommodating and very friendly no matter how busy they are. We began to think the reviewer had got venues mixed up and was writing about a different restaurant.
The Red House is an excellent restaurant.
Anne and Kenny Lamond. Scone.
Higher tax rate does not work
Sir, I refer to Mr Miller’s letter (January 16) concerning the French Socialist Government tax rate of 75%.
The current French experiment of high tax rates for high earners was tried in the UK by Denis Healey in the 1970s and was later admitted to be a huge mistake since it did indeed lead to the best brains either leaving the country or avoiding all taxes by setting up tax-efficient schemes such as incorporating themselves and paying much lower rates of corporation tax.
Such discrimination, if seen to be unfair, just doesn’t work since tax revenue from the high-earner segment actually declines.
Probably M. Hollande will find this out for himself if he survives the present Elysee scandal.
Derek Farmer. Knightsward Farm, Anstruther.
Preaching to the wrong people
Sir, Friends of the Earth say that global warming is caused by man-made CO2 emissions.They have many offices throughout the UK and yet UK CO2 emissions barely register on the world scale.
Would it not make more sense for their offices to be located in China, India, South Korea and the USA, because those countries have no interest in reducing CO2 emissions at the expense of their own economic prosperity?
Surely FOE are preaching to the wrong people?
Malcolm Parkin. 15 Gamekeepers Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross.