This morning’s letters discuss speed humps, the euro, the leaders’ TV debates and the Dundee dock proposals.
End medical misery of speed humps Sir,-Many road users would be dismayed by your report – Record low death rate on Fife roads (April 20).
One paragraph stated, “The estimates take into account the human costs, pain, suffering and also the economic and medical costs, loss of output due to injury, and other factors such as damage to vehicles and property.”
Road accidents are a sad feature of modern life but the above statement could be an accurate description of events happening to invalids, ill and disabled people and disgruntled drivers every single hour of every day because of road humps.
I thought I had planned an escape route to my GP surgery around the perimeter of Kirkcaldy, until the dreaded road humps appeared to block my path on Bennochy Road.
My mechanic assured me that those bumps were the surest means of damaging car wheels and suspension at an incidence previously unheard of, and I feel heartfelt sympathy for those with spinal, neck and other medical conditions far worse than mine.
Although it will now be impossible to recover the millions of pounds spent on this ridiculous and primitive means of traffic control, surely it must be obvious to even the most perverse observer that the humane solution is to be preferred.
An adequate police presence at far less cost in human and car damage terms could discourage reckless driving behaviour.
Jack Burgess.49 Aboyne Gardens,Kirkcaldy.
Greek warning of euro peril
Sir,-Ming Campbell was my captain when we both ran for the Scottish athletics team in the springtime of life, almost half a century ago.
Though a lifelong Tory, I will be placing my cross beside his name on May 6 because my vote is personal, not tribal. However, I do not believe it is our “manifest destiny” to join the euro, since it means losing our ability to set interest rates and taxes and monitor public spending.
Though explicitly ruled out by EU treaties, it is clear from the Greek experience that the euro can only survive if all members share responsibility for each other’s debts. I am sure that old cynic Jacques Delors was well aware the result of monetary union would be Germany and the North forever bailing out the club med banana republics.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Save us from cosmetic politics
Sir,-It is said that people get the government they deserve. This could well turn out to be true on May 6.
If the polls are correct, the public are not interested in policies or past record; only who has the best visual impact on television, as if the General Election was some sort of game show. Heaven helps us.
William W. Scott.23 St Baldred’s Road,North Berwick.
Why silence on dock proposals?
Sir,-Andrew Scott (April 21) seems to have overlooked the point that everyone is in favour of renewable energy projects but in the case of the Dundee waterfront turbines, have concerns about the siting of such a development so close to residential areas.
This is not negativity but genuine concern.
The problems for people living close to huge turbines are well documented as are problems associated with biomass incinerators, so I suggest that Mr Scott should look into these in order to try to understand residents’ reticence.
Apart from health and welfare issues, the huge spatial footprint of 127-metre turbines and a 100-metre chimney stack for the biomass plant would have a detrimental effect on the visual impact of the city and dominate the landscape.
Mr Scott also seems to be unaware of the many waterfront developments and cultural amenities which have taken place in the major ports throughout Britain due to the loss of the shipping industry.
Instead, he seems to favour Dundee becoming a dumping ground for the world’s waste.
Does he not wonder why Leith politicians have voiced opposition for a similar development, while ours have remained remarkably silent?
Kath McIntyre.10 Ferndale Drive,Broughty Ferry.
Send turbines east to Buddon
Sir,-From reading Andrew Scott’s letter (April 21), you would think that the proposed “big fans on sticks” at Dundee docks are to advertise Dundee rather than to generate more power.
If this is not the case, why not install them at Buddon Point where there is unrestricted wind from every direction and where they would not interfere with anyone?
I would think you would get at least four turbines on this site as well as the army camp. Rethink please before spoiling Dundee once again.
Bob Samson.2 Reres Gardens,Broughty Ferry.