Sir, – Rail travel has been much in the news again this week thanks to a combination of adverse issues.
Among the reports are findings that punctuality on ScotRail services are the worst in 12 years.
Meanwhile, we have also learnt that rail fares in 2019 will be rising by around 3%.
However, all things are relative.
People in Levenmouth might well take some consolation from the fact that, as the largest town in Scotland with no rail connection, we are less affected by such difficulties.
The truth, of course, is that we suffer to a greater degree than every other equivalent town since we also need to travel to the cities.
It costs us more, since unlike many other so-called advanced countries, there is no smart ticketing available.As a result we need to pay separately – and more overall – for first the bus then the train fare.
This is particularly problematic for local people since bus services are also in decline and increasingly unreliable.
As such we face additional challenges in getting a bus to connect to rail services without long gaps waiting in between.
I accept we are not alone in this and indeed many small towns and villages similar to us, even including those in the Central Belt, endure similar inconvenience when reliant on public transport. However, when a major settlement such as Levenmouth remains so poorly connected, I reckon that’s a persistent failing of government.
Neil Stewart.
Omar Crescent,
Buckhaven.
Organisation not easy to access
Sir, – At 12.30pm on Saturday, December 1, I sought to contact Angus Council, simply to report a spillage of several dozen unopened packets of what I believe were sanitary towels, seen while walking, on the pavement and carriageway outside Ladyloan School in Millgate Loan, Arbroath.
Consulting the council’s website to find details for their “Access Office”, I telephoned the quoted number, 03452 777 778, for contact outwith office hours, to hear a recorded message advising me that the office closed on November 30 and would reopen at 8.30am on Monday December 3 and I should therefore visit their website.
It is clear that this otiose organisation, disgracefully, seeks to avoid any actual contact with the community they exist to serve – and one can but wonder why.
Peter Dickinson.
‘Ceol na mara’,
13 South Street,
Arbroath.
All things are relative
Sir, – Any headship of state, republican or monarchical, costs us taxpayers tens of millions.
If Alister Rankin (Letters, December 1) is worried about the expenses of our UK royals, he should compare the costs to us of the bribe to the EU Commission to allow our escape – £39 billion – and the futile sum set aside for decarbonisation, combating climate change, over the next five years – some £88 billion.
Dr Charles Wardrop.
111 Viewlands Rd West,
Perth.
Hard questions over closure
Sir, – Your recent correspondent Mr T Brown (“Closure was a real shock”, Courier Letters, November 29) has done us a service to question the process of the closure of the New School, Butterstone.
There are numerous aspects which he may have explored and I will outline them.
First is that the Care Inspectorate have a set of standards; did that organisation fulfil their own standards or the code of practice issued by Scottish Social Services Council or indeed the code of ethics produced by the British Association of Social Workers since 1972 in the closure which they oversaw?
Secondly, did the process of closure reflect concerns about a serious and immediate event where a child(ren) was abused or harmed or was it a response without a thorough, completed and objective evaluation of a complaint/s which has now left all the pupils damaged and their vulnerabilities compounded?
Mr Linklater, school governor, in his article in the Times of November 26, did not convey any such immediate urgency and I cannot find the Care Inspectorate report online to understand any issues which may have been raised.
Thirdly, is the unknown relationship between the Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland, local authorities and parent council at the school.
What discussions took place, when and who was involved?
Finally, is the fall out of this abrupt closure; consequences for the Scottish Government plans and funding for the educational provision for vulnerable people.
There is potential concern about the independence of the Care Inspectorate or if that is established as remaining rock solid then the practice of individuals within it needs examination.
I have heard such was the intensity of the time scale imposed by the Inspectorate to introduce changes that the school could not meet them and so pupils were not enabled to say farewell to each other, or staff.
Having lived/worked in residential and day care settings in my career I can vouch as to how intense relationships can be.
The sense of shock at the process is compounded by the sense of grief and isolation by being unable to share the common experience.
Without being in possession of details it is not possible to give a concrete analysis but having at one time been the Scottish Convener of the British Association of Social Workers there are more concerns raised about this process about which the public need reassurance.
Otherwise the credibility of the independent regulator is in doubt – and meanwhile children and their families appear to have been unnecessarily distressed.
Paul Rice.
50 Manor Gardens,
Blairgowrie.
Debate difficult but important
Sir, – The hysterical response to “fascist” Tommy Robinson’s proposed visit to a Hearts game recently has been a lesson in how to polarise political debate.
Mr Robinson has been convicted of violent offences, but he has also been hounded unfairly by the police.
He has been recorded in the past making disparaging, and even threatening, comments towards Muslims in general, but now he is careful to target his comments at the belief system and perpetrators.
His confrontational manner engenders hostility unnecessarily, but much of what he says is true.
Is he brave?
He certainly does take personal risks by being so outspoken about Islam, but many others express similar views equally trenchantly, though without Robinson’s aggressive style.
There is an element in society that is always itching for the opportunity to turn in hatred against another group.
It can be a rival football team, an immigrant community or a religious group – any will do.
These people are ready to elevate any demagogue claiming to justify their hatred.
But, with regard to Islam, that group is very small.
A much wider section of the public are concerned about the influence of Islam in the UK, but have no inclination towards anything other than having a say in what sort of nation we are to become.
To which group does Tommy Robinson appeal?
A section of each, I suspect.
He might sound like he’s trying to start a fight, but, whatever you think of Tommy Robinson, we need the debate.
Richard Lucas.
272 Bath Street,
Glasgow.
Numbers simply don’t add up
Sir, – I noticed an article regarding the cycle counter in Broughty Ferry and Kevin Cordell’s surprise at the number of cycles that have been counted.
He has every right to be surprised because I have witnessed cycles being registered more than once when they pass and also prams and foot traffic being registered on the counter.
Perhaps someone from Dundee City Council should take a look.
Richard Westlake.
17 Fyne Road,
Broughty Ferry.
Proposal is rather chilling
Sir, – So Brazil has pulled out of hosting next November’s UN summit on global warming.
Can I suggest that they hold it instead in Baker Lake, Canada, where the temperature over the next week or two will be between -15C and -30C degrees?
Geoff Moore.
Alness,
Highland.
