Sir, Anyone following your coverage in recent days and weeks will have noted the scale of the continuing problem we have with fly-tipping in the North East.
Such behaviour disrespects our local communities and fantastic environment it needs to stop.
At Keep Scotland Beautiful, we know the impact that fly-tipping has on the environment, as it is clear for all to see.
What is perhaps less clear is the economic cost of clearing up the mess falling as it does on local authorities and also onprivate landowners and farmers as well as private homeowners.
Even less obvious, is the proven impact of fly-tipping and other littering behaviour on health and social outcomes.
Brutally, waste is often dumped where it impacts on the mental health and civic pride of others. It needs to stop.
Whilst Keep Scotland Beautiful will support any and all proposed parts of the solution, including bollards and other physical solutions, what is even more important is working to change attitudes amongst those who destroy their local environment with this illegal behaviour.
Our Clean Up Scotland Campaign will continue to highlight the destructive behaviour of the few, demanding a change in attitudes, whilst celebrating the selfless commitment of the thousands and thousands who want to help us clean up.
If your readers want to help our campaign, the best place to start is cleanupscotland.com.
Derek Robertson. Chief Executive, Keep Scotland Beautiful, Stirling.
They need to face the facts
Sir, It is understandable many Yes supporters are still sore after the massive defeat of their desire to separate from the UK. I have never supported the Labour Party but some extreme left wing supporters of which Mr Harry Key (letters, December 17) is obviously one who are now SNP members should face some hard political facts.
Until Tony Blair revived Labour by adopting moderate and practical policies, the party, with their past extreme left-wing history of Callaghan then Foot then Kinnock were never electable. During and since the recent referendum, many distortions of political truths have been repeated. Mr Key, in his malicious letter, and the SNP still peddle the allegation that Labour has joined forces with the Conservatives.
This notion is quickly dispelled by comparing their respective policies in Westminster debates and the manifestos for the coming 2015 general election. Labour, Lib Dems and Conservatives , plus thousands of non- alignedvoters, combined only to fight for the retention of the UK against the machinations of the SNP. I won’t criticise Labour for that decision.
It was always a Labour policy, even when Mr Key was a member. Labour stood firm for their allegiance to the UK and extreme SNP supporters should accept the resounding defeat by the democratic vote of the Scottish people.
Angus Brown. Station Road, Longforgan, Dundee.
Has it finally sunk in?
Sir, I noted in The Courier, December 20 , that Yes Scotland has brought its campaign for independence to a close. Is this anything to do with the collapse of the price of oil making independence economically unviable?
Councillor Mac Roberts. Perth & Kinross Council, Ward 1 Carse of Gowrie.
Waiting in vain for a bus
Sir, I agree with the statement by North East councillor Brian Gordon regarding the price increase and the service of theNo 32, 33, 15, and 17 buses (The Courier, December 23).
I have lost count of the times I and many other people have waited in vain for a bus scheduled to arrive at a particular time, but which has not done so.
This is particularly galling if you are waiting at the Crescent Building, because there is no shelter at all there.
The other thing that puzzles me is the amount of different drivers who are behind the wheel now, it used to be that the same ones were on the route all the time, but now it is very rare to see a familiar face.
Mrs June Reid. 12 Findhorn Street, Fintry, Dundee.
Successful BB post initiative
Sir, On behalf of the boys and staff of the 1st Carnoustie Company Boys’ Brigade I would like to thank the local residents; the various churches and businesses; Angus Council and theparents and friends of the company for supporting the recent Christmas postinitiative.
I am pleased to be able to advise that £2,752.53 was raised and this will go towards providing the boys of all sections of the company with an ever more challenging and interestingprogramme.
The next main event on the calendar is the annual Burns Supper on February 6 which is hosted by the boys of the company section to help them develop their organisational and public speaking skills.
Neil Russell. Captain. 1st Carnoustie Company, Boys’ Brigade.