Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-The subject of possible improvements to the A9 comes up regularly in your columns.
I am quite confused by some of the arguments used to justify increasing the amount of dual carriageway. Perhaps some of your correspondents could help me out with the following queries:
Allegedly, drivers cannot adjust to changes from single to dual carriageway but surely almost any long road journey in Scotland involves changes in types of roads, with also the possibility of single track roads and motorways. So is it just drivers on the A9 who cannot adjust or should all roads be dual carriageway?
Some supporters of changing the full length of the A9 to dual carriageway are members of political parties which are trying to reduce the Government deficit. So is it not strange that they are campaigning for such a massive Government expenditure on this road?
Oil and energy prices are increasing and it is difficult to see this changing as demand for oil increases throughout the world.
So why is the assumption being made that traffic levels on the A9 will increase?
Robert Potter.16R Brown Street,Dundee.
Giving drivers the yips
Sir,-Am I the only driver to resent fatuous text displayed on dual carriageway variable message signs?
It was an excellent idea to update travellers with relevant information about extreme weather, roadworks and unexpected road closures or ferry cancellations. I defer to no one in my admiration of technology put to sensible use.
On the other hand, I do resent patronising instructions to “Check your fuel” or “Keep a safe distance”, or (my favourite) “When driving in winter clean your mirrors”. There is something infantile about it.
Road safety cannot be enhanced when contemptuous drivers switch off from reading messages that are no doubt well intended but eventually cease to command respect.
I seem to recall that the AA also expressed misgivings along the same lines a few months ago.
Iain Mitchell.Hawkhill,Dundee.
Police present in force
Sir,-We are constantly being told in the the press that Tayside Police are short of money. If what happened to me is an example of their efficency perhaps it is no wonder.
I was stopped in my car by two officers in a van because my car had a badly cracked windscreen, which I hasten to add I have no complaint with.
After taking my details etc., the officers took some pictures of the windscreen on mobile phones and sent them to the traffic department for a more specialist examination.
After about 20 minutes, a brand new top of the range Volvo containing two more officers appeared and they decided that, in their opinion, the windscreen was so bad that the car could not be driven any further.
The traffic officer then said he would produce the necessary paperwork. However, when he searched his car he could not find the relevant form. So after another wait yet another Volvo appeared with another two officers and the form.
So there we had six highly trained, and doubtless highly paid, officers and three vehicles taking over an hour to deal with what is after all a relatively minor traffic offence.
Perhaps the old saying about looking after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves does not apply to Tayside Police.
Eric Gray.23 Denburn Court,Brechin.
Thoroughbreds sold for meat
Sir,-This is UK Week for the Animals (2-10 July) a time which is dedicated to all creatures great and small.
No animal deserves to be mistreated and yet in this day and age when there are resources and support to help owners who are struggling both physically and financially, many animals are simply abandoned and left to die, or sold and slaughtered for meat.
This merciless practice is incredibly common and particularly applies to horses, especially retired race horses.
Last year, 7933 horses were slaughtered in the UK with at least 50% being thoroughbreds. Finding homes for horses after they have raced is difficult, forcing owners to abandon or sell them for meat as they can fetch up to £600 per horse.
The vast majority of animal welfare centres are full to capacity. The only way we can help is to be able to successfully re-home those animals who are fit and well enough, in order to rescue those in need.
Pam Taylor.Mountains Sanctuary,Milton of Ogil.
Repair potholes as a priority
Sir,- Local councils have decided to cut back on their road budgets. This, in spite of the worst winter damage for years and the repeated reminders that our councils are falling further and further behind with their road repairs programmes.
Meanwhile, councillors go ahead with expensive projects which are neither necessary nor urgent.
Perth has had its High Street torn up for weeks while workmen replace a perfectly good pedestrianised layout with another.
Dundee is spending huge sums on redesigning the waterfront and the approaches to the Tay Road Bridge.
During the present cash crisis, common sense would dictate calling a halt to all such schemes and concentrating on essentials.
A top priority should be keeping our roads and pavements free from potholes.
Unfortunately, common sense seems to be sadly lacking in our elected representatives of today. All they seem to know about is how to spend taxpayers’ money as irresponsibly and rapidly as possible.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
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.