Forget politics, concentrate on bridge

Sir,—Am I alone in thinking that the Forth Road Bridge bridgemaster Alastair Andrew is taking an overly political role? His latest statement in support of a second, multi-modal, Forth Road Bridge is but the latest in a long list of political and often contradictory statements to come from Mr Andrew.

To justify the recent 20 pence increase in tolls Mr Andrew argued that the money was needed for a 14-year maintenance programme to ensure the bridge would be good for another 40 years.

No sooner had this increase been granted than Mr Andrew was claiming that the bridge might not last another 10 years and opining that a new crossing was needed. All the while Mr Andrew is politicking the queues grow due to unnecessary traffic restrictions for advertising stunts and badly planned maintenance.

The thought of handing a one billion pound budget for a new bridge to FETA under its present management structure fills me with horror. Think Scottish Parliament then some.

Mr Andrew would be better served by leaving the politics to others and concentrating on the nuts and bolts of managing and maintaining the bridge.

A cynic would be forgiven for wondering if such a staunch proponent of a new crossing has a vested interest in proving that the existing crossing is not efficient, which is certainly the case under Mr Andrew’s stewardship.

At odds with own adviser

Sir,—The Scottish Executive’s decision to thwart plans for a trial re-introduction of the European beaver to Scotland is a significant set-back for nature conservation.

The Executive’s use of incredulous legal excuses disregards the advice of the Government’s own adviser, Scottish Natural Heritage, and is at odds with the experience of 24 European countries where beavers are now resident.

As reserve managers for part of the proposed trial site in Knapdale, Argyll, the Scottish Wildlife Trust refutes the Environment Minister’s argument that the trial infringes European regulations concerning possible effects of beavers on protected areas.

The minister’s argument wilfully ignores extensive scientific research conducted over many years, and misrepresents the spirit and intention of European environ- mental law. The implications for the management and enhancement of designated sites across Scotland should not be underestimated.

One can only hope that the Executive will be consistent and apply the same argument to reject the proposal for a massive wind farm that threatens a European Special Protection Area on the Isle of Lewis.

Pointless exercise

Sir,—If I was utterly destitute in New Orleans, with my life ravaged by hurricane Katrina and family and friends dead and dying round about me, and I heard my feckless President sign off every pronouncement on my plight with the words “God bless”, I would consider that the ultimate insult.

Prayers called for by Bush before Katrina clearly had no effect. Prayers after Katrina will have no effect either. As we learn that the receding waters have revealed 30 old folks drowned in a nursing home, we are reminded of the helpless little children killed in the children’s home in the tsunami. A fat lot of good prayer did for either.

When will the religious ever learn that prayer is pointless?

Useless PR stunt

Sir,—Marlyn Glen MSP was obviously at a loose end when she tried to interest the Scottish Arts Council in coming to Dundee when relocation was not even on their agenda.

As if there were not enough arts administrators on generous salaries deciding not to give any money to artists, the (non) elected member tries to bring more of the same to the city which is doing so much for the arts, or not as the case may be.

These people do not generate a single piece of art or any contribution to our culture and they seem to spend most of their time trying to justify their existence by letting us know how much good they are doing us all by just being there.

As useless PR stunts go, this one was down there with the worst so far.

Den of Airlie dam better?

Sir,—Regarding the Hydro Board’s intended operations on the River Braan, wouldn’t it be more sensible to concentrate on the River Isla by building a dam at Den of Airlie? This would allow raising the water up as far as Reekie Linn, thereby allowing the salmon to reach the upper part of the Isla to spawn and also a good force of water for generating electricity.