Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-Planned closure of RAF Leuchars might provide a local airport development opportunity.
In the 1980s, shortly after Fonda Segura Reus (Reus Airforce Base) in Portugal had closed, the first charter flights started to arrive at the hastily opened Reus Civil Airport.
The rate of development was staggering. The 1995 total of 500,000 passengers reached 1.4 million in 2005. Flights are mainly seasonal from 47 domestic and overseas airports.
Costa del Fife may never attract Reus Airport figures but air traffic pressure on Edinburgh Airport and associated travel from the east and north of Scotland could be eased by opening a small civil airport at Leuchars.
Golfers might prefer the short journey from Leuchars International Airport to the Royal and Ancient (5.6 miles away) to the journey from Glasgow or Edinburgh airports.
The Portuguese saw the opportunity and were not held up for years by planning consent delays and ambitions to develop a fabulous airport complex. They just got on with it, with excellent results.
If only we Scots could do the same, instead of seeing planning delays extending towards infinity and cost overruns burdening local ratepayers for generations.
Michael Hamilton.Stodrig Farm Cottages,Kelso.
Security system not wanted
Sir,-I would like to complain about Dundee City Council’s imposition of a fob key security system in Menzieshill. There has been no dialogue about this with residents in my block.
There was a sham vote for the owners and no consultation with the council tenants. They have, though, brought in a company to price this work at over £4000 a block.
If people want to appeal they can only do so through the sheriff office. I was told I would have to get a lawyer to do this. I approached a law firm and they quoted £1000 for such an appeal, and without legal aid.
I moved into the block in 1982. We have no reasons to worry about our security. We therefore see no justification for this fob key scheme.
A Labour councillor has stated: “I cannot understand why the council is wasting money on this scheme.”
John Gourlay.Ardler,Dundee.
Also present at meeting
Sir,-Having read letters from two SNP councillors for the Maryfield ward of Dundee (July 25) I can see why people hold elected members in contempt.
Councillor Lynn denied that he made the statement that he will never support lighting in Baxter Park. I can possibly jog his memory as I was at this meeting. It was held in the Boomerang hall on February 15.
At the same meeting he and Councillor Melville attacked individuals for writing to newspapers.
A question was asked of Tayside Police, who had an inspector present, about the lighting of Baxter Park and he said quite clearly that lighting of streets and parks are indeed beneficial to the policing of the area.
I also find it quite strange that an elected member would ask for evidence of a policy being broken when he is responsible for those policies, being a member of the administration.
If Councillor Melville had sought the policy being questioned, he would have found the Sustainable Development Policy Statement refers to: “City-wide improvements in the overall quality of life through policies, plans and services that have positive impacts on public heath, community safety and local environmental quality.”
I therefore ask these two councillors to put up their hands and admit they have made mistakes.
Allan Petrie.Chairperson Dundee Liberal Democrats,109 Blacklock Crescent, Dundee.
Savings may be elusive
Sir,-On the face of it, Tom Black’s advice for saving money (July 22) may be sound, but what about the people who are unable to do the expensive things he thinks can be cut out?
What about those who are totally housebound and are forced to pay increased charges for community alarm and the care that they need? And there are those who need sufficient heat round the clock in winter.
Would he not be better giving advice to convicted peers? They’ll need it when they come out of jail.
M. Thomas.4 Wilkie Cottage,Leven.
Law enforced differently
Sir,-Having read (July 25) about drug dealing in St Mary’s, Dundee, I am astounded at the response from Chief Inspector Dave Barclay.
I feel that to get public opinion fully on board with the reporting of crimes, not only drug dealing, we need to see some results in making the streets more safe for us and our children.
If I report an illegal act then I expect the police to act on it, not to say, as the inspector did, “We know what you are doing, cut it out”. Surely it’s either illegal or it’s not.
When I was stopped by the police for doing 45mph in a 40mph zone I collected three penalty points and was fined £60.
I would have welcomed the inspector’s approach of being told to cut it out.
There are times when the arm of the law needs to be just that little bit heavier.
Bill Wood.Dundee.
Soldiers deserve better treatment
Sir,-Fife Council recently bestowed the Freedom of Fife on The Black Watch.
More recently, Fife’s dignitaries have praised the efforts of the armed forces.
I am disgusted that some who should most definitely know better now consider that those heroes are not fit to buy fish suppers in Fife (letters July 25).
Mike Scott-Hayward.Sawmill House,Kemback Bridge.
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.