Sir, Do you remember the awful winters of 2009/10 and 2010/11?
Do you remember Fife Council running out of salt and grit for the roads at one point; The Courier correspondence columns packed with letters of complaint about the state of pavements, roads and other essential facilities; the Scottish Government transport minister (Stewart Stevenson) having to resign because he completely misjudged the public mood about the ensuing chaos; flights cancelled, communities cut off, people finding it almost impossible to get to work?
You do?
Well, I hope Fife Council’s transportation spokesman Pat Callaghan and his officials do too. After those experiences there can be no excuse for a local authority not being prepared for a bad, or even exceptionally bad, winter.
It is not enough for Mr Callaghan to moan and wail about diminished resources. The budget provision, the storage of salt and grit, the staffing of the emergency services should all be in place, otherwise all the talk about “learning lessons” will have been for nothing.
It will be difficult for the public to accept charges for parking if this is just seen as something to compensate for the council’s lack of foresight on weather conditions.
Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.
Tried, tested and failed
Sir, Encouraged by the enormous subsidies paid for by consumers I note that the developers are appealing the decision by Angus Council to refuse planning permission for a very large wind factory at Dodd Hill. If approved, this development would not only have a devastating effect on the local area but also ruin one of the best views in Angus from Carrot Hill.
The policy pursued by the Scottish Government will see these machines produce the most expensive electricity which will be 10% more expensive than the most costly nuclear power of the proposed Hinckley C reactor, two of which could deliver, at 95% efficiency, all the power that Scotland requires, reliably day and night wind or no wind for 60 years.
Mr Salmond’s favourite role model, Norway, is testing and developing a Thorium nuclear reactor whilst Sweden derives 40% of its power from nuclear energy and Finland 30% while both, sensibly, are keeping wind power to a minimum. There are 45 countries throughout the world developing nuclear power which will give their nations abundant, reliable, safe and carbon-free energy.
Wind power has been used since Babylonian times. It has been tried, tested and failed. Do we really need to go down this path when the technology has been comprehensively discredited?
Iain G Richmond. Guildy House, Monikie.
Core path very much wanted
Sir, As chairman and vice-chairman of the largest walking group in the area, the Strathearn Ramblers, we would like to correct the assertion by Robert Gibbons (Courier letters, October 31) that “nobody wants” the core path between Comrie and Crieff.
Our members frequently ask us what has happened about it, since it was included in the core path network by the Scottish Government and when the obstacles along the route will be removed.
In response to this interest, we plan to do a walk next year from Comrie to Crieff along the core path, which links the two settlements where most of our members live, to show members that, despite some difficulties, the core path is passable at the moment.
It is heartening to hear that work is progressing well in developing a path along the railway line further west around St Fillans, with a new bridge already in position at Glen Tarken and that Crieff Paths Group are working on improving paths to the east. Completing the link would be a step towards creating a coast to coast path, such as the “Pilgrim Way” proposed between Iona and St Andrews.
With the new Scottish National Trail now passing south to north through Comrie, Strathearn would then lie at a crossroads of long distance routes, greatly increasing its appeal to visitors.
Ken Heiser andFelicity Martin. 18 Polinard, Comrie.
Importance of next year
Sir, Royal British Legion Scotland, Angus and Perthshire area, City of Dundee, Festival Committee, would like to thank everyone who attended the Festival of Remembrance in the Caird Hall on November 2.
As each year goes by our numbers reduce and it falls upon our younger generation to take up the mantle and show their support and each and every year they step up to the mark with great respect and diligence. They are a credit to their families, schools and associations that they represent.
As 2013 fades into the history books we open a new chapter, one that represents one of the most important dates in our military history, the commencement of First World War hostilities. We are already planning for next year’s event and I would ask, therefore, that you place November 1, 2014 in your diaries now.
Alastair McLean. Festival Convener.