Make more of Dundee’s maritime heritage

Sir,—With reference to the North Seafaring Project (November 30), which aims to link Dundee with maritime heritage projects in other countries bordering the North Sea, could I point out that Dundee has more than two historic ships.

As well as Unicorn and Discovery, the North Carr lightship is moored in Victoria Dock and has completed the first stage of a restoration project

The Abertay tug, a fine vessel well known to Dundonians, is unused but still moored in the docks.

Tunnel not vision too far

Sir,—May I question Sandy Main’s assertion (November 29) that a tunnel under the Forth is not possible.

He rightly points to the difficult geology underlying the two bridges.

But given modern techniques and worldwide experience, I think he would find it difficult to justify his view that a much more reliable and longer-lasting tunnel cannot be constructed.

They tunnelled under the River Thames through geological conditions that were vastly more hostile— and that was more than 100 years ago.

I agree with Mr Main on one point. The relatively short life of the road bridge due to corrosion is in stark contrast with say, the Brooklyn Bridge in New York.

It is a matter of record that every time they subject that marvel of engineering to the same rigorous testing as the Forth Road bridge, they come to the same conclusion—Brooklyn Bridge is still in a condition that can be described as good as new. And the structure is 80 years older.

They built things to last in those days.

Maintenance questions

Sir,—As a former engineer with experience in the design and construction of suspension bridges, I have been following with interest the debate about the Forth Road Bridge and I cannot help thinking that the public are being conned over the present situation about the bridge’s alleged deterioration.

This bridge has 30,000 miles and 8000 tonnes of galvanised wire, encased in steel to protect the cables from the weather and to act as collars to hang the cables which support the decking.

This bridge, at 41 years old, is or should be, considered a baby.

It is true that it is carrying far more vehicles than it was designed for but the safety factor built in to bridges of this design are quite extreme.

If the bridge’s main suspension cables are starting to corrode excessively instead of just normal wear and tear, then I can only conclude that the bridge has been poorly maintained

If this is the case, then FETA and other involved groups are keeping very quiet about it.

People should be reminded that the Tay Road Bridge had the wrong type of bolts fitted to the main structure and this led to millions of pounds having to be spent on replacing them.

This bridge should not have required replacing for many decades to come if it had been maintained properly.

I suspect that the alleged deterioration is being used as an excuse to hike the toll charges. There is more to this business than meets the eye.

Manufacture an exodus reversal

Sir,—Jack McConnell is appealing to expats to come home.

Such a request shows a total lack of understanding of what is happening in Scotland.

The question Mr McConnell should be asking is why are people deciding to leave Scotland in the first place, and move their families to other countries.

What sane person will move back to a country where the only real hope of employment is a minimum wage in the service industries, petrol at least twice the price, houses and cars between 25 and 50% more expensive, not to mention our lovely weather.

Jack needs to get to grip with this country first.

He needs to improve the education and discipline of our children, encourage small companies back into manufacturing and exporting rather than increase the number of Government jobs and policies that drive the entrepreneurs abroad.

Christmas costs a packet

Sir,—We decided to send Christmas presents to New Zealand this year.

My wife took great care in wrapping a lovely parcel weighing 3.1 kilogrammes but our dream crashed because of the price—£51 for airmail and £44 for surface mail.

What could we do?

Make up two parcels! My wife wrapped one at 1.2 kgs and one at 1.9 kgs and the cost for both by surface mail was £15.

I find this a bit screwy commercially speaking, but if you are sending parcels abroad, keep them under 2 kgs.

Attraction of magnetic trains

Sir,—The proposal by Nicol Stephen (November 28) for a high-speed train between Edinburgh and Glasgow would, on the face it it, appear a good idea.

But why is he stuck in 20th century technology (bullet trains).

Magnetic levitation, with speeds of up to 500 kph, is the way forward for high-speed train travel in the United Kingdom.