Sir, – Your opinion columns usually deal constructively with some new topic of public interest but Tuesday (May 26) was wasted on a rehash of Jim Crumley’s entirely superseded demand that Perth and Kinross Council knock down Perth City Hall.
He is evidently unaware that listed building consent for demolition would be required from Historic Scotland who have already refused it twice.
He also seems unaware that every architectural authority considers the building of national, even international, importance, as one of Scotland’s three finest Belle Epoque-style structures, all from around 1912, the other two being Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and Hamilton’s former Lanark County Buildings.
But as an expert on mountains and wildlife, Jim knows better.
Apparently he has not heard, either, that there are not one but two detailed proposals for its reuse on a short list for decision by the council on July 1.
Nor does he realise that Perth is a Northern European medieval city with a tightly-packed centre which grew around St John’s Kirk, as opposed to classical cities in warmer climates, which grew around a central square.
There are only two cases in Scotland of an open square being punched into an established city centre: in front of Caird Hall, Dundee, created by destroying its great historic town house and hardly ever serving any useful purpose and Festival Square in Edinburgh which is a public embarrassment.
Why does Jim want to turn Perth city centre into a building site for two years, destroying businesses and at a cost to the taxpayer of £4 million which could be spent where it is really needed?
Why is dear Mr Crumley so curmudgeonly?
Vivian Linacre. 21 Marshall Place, Perth
. New use must be found for hall
Sir, – It is good to note that Perth and Kinross Councillor Alexander Stewart backs the revival of Perth City Hall after a decade of disuse.
Up until now, councillors are reported to have favoured demolition in favour of the creation of a civic square, with a consequential death of city centre retail.
In contrast, a city hall redevelopment must be promoted in such a way as to save city centre businesses.
It is now up to councillors to get as grip on this issue and insist on a constructive new use for the hall.
Our city’s future depends on it.
Isabel and Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road West, Perth.
Frustration at checkout
Sir, – At the store checkout queue one morning this week, the lady in front of me had a long conversation with the cashier, as did the lady following me.
In fact, the conversation went across me as I packed my shopping bag.
It brought to my mind scenes I experienced in a hospital ward, some years previous.
The nurses were chatting to patients in adjacent beds as they attended to my needs.
I have now decided not to return to that checkout queue again.
If I return to the store I will use the automatic tills and enjoy the electronic repartee.
And the staff member may one day have cause to recall why her job disappeared.
D. Morrison. 1 Grampian View, Coupar Angus.
Time to taxand fine cyclists
Sir, – A cyclist ploughed into, and badly cut and bruised, a three-year-old girl who was walking on a pavement in Blackpool.
The cyclist fled the scene.
In another incident, a nine-year-old girl was walking on the pavement to school in Cornwall when a cyclist smashed into her, breaking her wrist.
He also quickly cycled away.
These rogue cyclists must be identified and brought to justice.
If a car was involved in a hit-and-run accident then the chances are that his number plate would be noted.
Every cyclist should have a compulsory identification number displayed on a high-visibility vest and pay an annual fee which would include third-party insurance.
The DVLA could administer the scheme.
The maximum fine for riding on the pavement is £500 and this figure should be strictly enforced.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
Police cuts no surprise
Sir, – In reference to your report (May 25) on police charges, I find it strange that surprise is being expressed at this, notwithstanding that the police have in fact always charged for extraneous services.
After all, Police Scotland is what was voted for when an SNP government was elected to Holyrood.
It ill behoves Fife Councillor Bob Young to play the ingenu in his statement implying two-tier policing.
The creation of a national state police was supported by both the Labour and SNP in the run up to the 2011 election, therefore, as you sow, so shall you reap.
John Gordon. 1 North Street, Glenrothes.
Balance of opinions
Sir, – In his letter (May 25) George White of Auchtermuchty commends The Courier for its balanced representation of political debate during last year’s Scottish independence referendum and General Election but then proceeds to pour scorn on your columnist Jenny Hjul for havingthe temerity “for making no bones about her personal preference for the Tory Party” and for her criticisms of SNP leaders.
Mr White has obviously failed to notice the somewhat unequal counter-balancing comments in the regular columns of Alex Salmond and Jennifer Dempsie, both of the SNP persuasion.
G M Lindsay. Whinfield Gardens, Kinross.
Is Salmond deluded?
Sir, – As part of his pitch to work alongside Prime Minister David Cameron in the Tories’ EU campaign, Alex Salmond informs us he is one of the UK’s most popular politicians.
Former First Minister. Leader of a party which had six rather than 56 MPs.
Failed architect of the SNP’s attempt at independence, rejected by the majority of Scots.
Most popular? Or most deluded?
Martin Redfern. 4 Royal Circus, Edinburgh.
Carmichael should quit
Sir, – If Alistair Carmichael had any honour, he would immediately apply for the Chiltern Hundreds.
He has destroyed any credibility in his public life or service.
As an MP he fashions and passes into law acts which define public conduct and criminal activity. Is he exempt from scrutiny of his conduct?
If he is refusing to retire from parliament and public life, then, since parliament is the highest court, it has a responsibility to suspend him for 21-plus days to enable him to be recalled.
Orkney and Shetland deserve better conduct from their Member of Parliament.
Alistair Carmichael cannot be allowed to get away with this dreadful behaviour.
If he is allowed to continue without sanction, then it reflects badly not only on the Liberal Democrats but on all the members of the Westminster Parliament.
Brian Rattray. 124/2 Gylemuir Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh.
Cynical rush towards PR
Sir, – I note with some interest the call for proportional representation by the Anglo-British tribe in Scotland.
Is this a genuine interest in improving the political process in the UK in general, or is it motivated by the fact that the system designed by Westminster backfired spectacularly at the election?
I am all for a much more representative form of government across the UK. It would clearly be of benefit to Scotland as many more powers and decisions over and above that proposed by the Smith Commission could be taken here instead of Westminster.
However, I get the distinct feeling that most unionists have other motives that probably have nothing to do with improving democracy.
We have a form of PR for the Scottish elections but of course that backfired equally spectacularly four years ago as well.
Had the SNP only won a few seats I do not suppose there would be as much gnashing of teeth and wailing among those diehards in the other parties that democracy has somehow been subverted by those upstarts in the SNP.
Bryan Auchterlonie. Bluebell Cottage, Ardargie.
Help to Buy uncertainty
Sir, – Having already resulted in 5000 sales to date worth £1 billion, the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme has been a real game changer for our industry, stimulating the construction of much-needed new homes following the 40% plus drop in building witnessed since the downturn and creating vital jobs.
But news that the final 2015-16 year’s budget for the scheme is now almost exhausted leaves both buyers and builders in Scotland at significant disadvantage to those in England and Wales.
They now face months of uncertainty while the Scottish Government decides whether or not to launch a successor scheme.
This is the worst possible outcome, threatening any industry recovery that may be under way with the implications for jobs that this brings.
With it being evident for many months that the budget was insufficient to meet demand, we therefore urge the Scottish Government to make its intentions clear in order that people have the confidence they need to buy a new home and businesses have the predictability they require to invest in skills and resources.
Philip Hogg. Chief Executive, Homes for Scotland.