Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-Like many others, I was extremely disappointed to learn the fate of RAF Leuchars.
One cannot understand the reasoning behind such a closure after millions of pounds being spent on the runways in recent years.
The location is also the most suitably located to protect against any attacks on the many strategic installations in the central belt such as Torness, Cockenzie, Grangemouth, Faslane, Mossmorran, Rosyth and the road and rail bridges across the Forth and Tay.
It is to be appreciated that Lossiemouth is close to the First Minister’s constituency. A sad day for Fife despite all the campaigns, loyal support from local organisations and The Courier.
John McDonald,14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
Bandwagon in the Ferry
Sir,-It appears Broughty Ferry’s new bus service is actually a bandwagon, with Ferry councillor Laurie Bidwell the latest politician to jump aboard.
As a regular bus user myself, I too welcome this new service but all the credit goes to the persistence of Broughty Ferry’s residents and the SNP administration.
Lest we forget, it was Mr Bidwell’s Labour group who proposed stopping Dundee City Council’s bus route development grant, totalling £226,000. Fortunately, this move was defeated by the current administration.
As this new service is fully subsidised by Dundee City Council, where would Bidwell’s egregious cuts have left Broughty Ferry’s bus users?
Kevin Cordell.2 Nevis Place,Broughty Ferry.
Bin rules take the biscuit
Sir,-When I was a young I remember the bin men not only came round the back garden to get your rubbish, they took it all away and even brought the bin back, all with a smile.
I can only imagine the small wages they earned in those days. And strike? Hell no. They were just happy to have a job.
However, now not only are wages much healthier from the council, the bins get emptied every two weeks, and they need to be taken out and in.
Also, if you have so much as a small carrier bag at the side or on the lid they won’t take it away.
I’m disabled and not only do I take my own bins out and in, I have large containers in my garage that I use to recycle as much as I possibly can. I take this to recycling centres myself.
I even used to get on the bus with bags of recycling every week to go to the nearest centre before I got my mobility car.
So the one time I had two small carrier bags of rubbish sitting at the side of my bin (in which I could not press down the contents because I do not have the strength), it caused difficulty.
You would think this should not be a problem. Well, apparently it was a huge problem.
I even wanted to put the rubbish in myself, or in a neighbour’s bin but they wouldn’t even let me do that! I understand rules and health and safety issues, but I think bin men should think they are lucky they have a job.
What would their former colleagues think of what goes on now?
Kerry Faulkner.Birkhill,Angus.
Political problem with planes
Sir,-We can thank Alex Salmond to a great extent for the closure of RAF Leuchars.
Why would David Cameron want to keep a Scottish base with Salmond continually pressing for Scottish Independence?
Lynne King.Kinaldy House,St Andrews.
Baxter Park needs winter lights
Sir,-For many years now residents have been calling for more lighting for Baxter Park in winter.
Senior Tayside Police officers have repeatedly supported this demand in writing. Lighting the play area and park pathways has always been at the forefront of this demand. Dundee City Council has a sustainability policy to ensure “Our children will be safe, nurtured, healthy…”
Not putting lights in Baxter park goes against the council’s own sustainability policy. The public areas of the park must be lit for a few hours a night to ensure children, residents and families are safe after teatime.
No one is interested if the buildings themselves are lit and council bat experts have proven park lights do not disturb wildlife.
Maryfield councillor Ken Lynn has stated publicly that he will never support lighting in Baxter Park. He and his fellow councillors have ignored the constituents on this and other community demands for far too long.
Cory Campbell.North LodgeBaxter ParkDundee.
Water features in the high street
Sir,-I would love to know why Fife Council and their equally guilty planning department allowed such an expensive and ongoing travesty in Chinese granite to be perpetrated on our High Street in Kirkcaldy.
We now have water features all the way along both sides of the street, because of the camber in the middle and the many slopes going each and every way.
Heaven help us if we get another winter like last; the long pools of water will freeze over.
There are not enough drains to take away the water. The only happy people are the children paddling merrily along the street.
Council taxpayers are left with an intolerable and extremely pricey mess.
Why didn’t they leave our High Street alone?
I certainly don’t remember having to duck and dive to stop my feet from getting wet.
Shall we ever know how much this huge mistake cost us?
Norma Rutherford.Mid Street,Kirkcaldy.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.