Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-Just like an ice-cream on a hot day, the statements of Maitland Mackie (August 26) regarding wind power melt in the warmth of truth.
As I write, the 3500 UK wind turbines are producing 245 Megawatts ( 0.6%) of UK power production. It was slightly better in the last 24 hours at 0.8%. These figures are nothing unusual.
It is evident, therefore, that wind does not produce viable amounts of predictable and dependable electricity.
Furthermore, data from Denmark, where wind power has been more greatly invested in, indicates that there are no savings in carbon dioxide production that is allegedly causing global warming.
In any case, Scotland only produces 0.2% of world manmade carbon dioxide.
So we are investing in a power production system, at great financial and environmental cost, that does not produce worthwhile amounts of power and does not reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
So perhaps Maitland Mackie can tell us the real reason why?
Ron Greer.Armoury House,Blair Atholl.
Unimpressed by turbine power
Sir,-Maitland Mackie’s tribute to the turbines today is a codswallop masterpiece.
As a businessman, he cannot believe such nonsense himself, but “By Jove, How the Money Rolls In”.
Unfortunately, it comes from us.
(Dr) Charles Wardrop. 11 Viewlands RoadWest,Perth.
Failed to nail contract
Sir,- Labour and Tory councillors in Edinburgh banded together to limit the tram project to a line from Edinburgh Airport to Haymarket.
This decision is welcome since I am sure the original plan would have bankrupted the city and many of its shops.
The public sector is spectacular in its failure to keep to budget and effectively monitor and control private contractors and ensure completion on time.
This project is years late as well as drastically curtailed. There is also a shocking lack of accountability of those overseeing the project.
None were sacked for inefficiency but many are alleged to have received generous but ill-earned compensation packages.
Council leaders, architects, surveyors and supervisors should have had the contract specification tied up with no loopholes and changes properly costed.
Having been in the construction industry, I can vouch for it that there was nothing more profitable than an architect or client changing the specification.
This was often referred to as “a dripping roast”.
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
Bus better than shorter tramline
Sir,-The Edinburgh trams have now become a music hall joke due to incompetence.
The latest suggestion that the trams operate between Haymarket and the airport may look fine. But what about the cost and disruption to traffic and pedestrians which will be caused by the uplifting of the redundant rails along Princes Street?
Furthermore, is it not the case that the trams will not actually go to the airport terminal itself but will terminate near the A8 junction and passengers will require to transfer to a bus?
In which case, why not simply continue with the excellent airport bus service?
This operates from the Waverley Bridge direct to the terminal building.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court.Kirkcaldy.
Bodyguard was Royal Scots
Sir,-The claim by Gordon Stuart (August 25) in his letter that the nickname of the Scots Guards is Pontius Pilate’s bodyguard is incorrect.
In fact it was the nickname of the Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment, 1st of Foot).
They were raised in 1633 and recruited mainly from Edinburgh, the Lothians and from Peeblesshire.
The Royal Scots and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers were amalgamated in 2006 to form the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland. That is the present situation.
Thomas Murray.127 Cairns Crescent,Perth.
Mound not on Trump’s plan
Sir,- I refer to “Course’s objectors to be heard” (August 26). Having seen the film You’ve Been Trumped at the DCA, I find this hard to believe. Evidence shows that Trump International are not following the approved plans.
Not included in the plans is an enormous high mound of earth that has been built around the property of Mr Milne, the only purpose of which appears to be intimidation.
The least the planning department can do is to ensure that the layout of the first golf course is constructed as outlined in the approved plans. And until it is, no further development should be permitted on the site or further approval granted.
Moira Brown.Gray Street,Broughty Ferry.
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.