Sir, The latest driving legislation regarding lane hogging and tailgating is very welcome and not before time.
But, like the legislation and penalties regarding the use of mobile phones, will only be of any use if the culprits are actually caught by the police.
How many people do we still see using mobile phones, for either voice or text communication whilst on the move, especially on motorways, or reading maps and playing with sat navs etc?
Many of these are in upmarket vehicles, whereby the owner and or driver of the vehicle could surely afford the cost of hands free or connect using Bluetooth, not that the use of hands-free is without risk of loss of care and attention.
Also, how many companies actually have in their safety management systems, a section on the use of vehicles for business, prohibiting the use of phones whilst driving?
Not very many judging by the number of drivers one sees using phones on the move.
These latest inclusions in the Road Traffic Act will only work where the culprit is caught, I therefore await figures when released showing the efficacy of the new laws.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham by Forfar.
Lack of joined up thinking
Sir, Over several months, controversy has surrounded proposals by Tesco for construction of a new store in Cupar. There appears to have been a lack of joined up thinking by the company, by Fife Council members and by Fife Council officials which has resulted in a large area of ground lying neglected.
Quite naturally the community has been dismayed at this scene of dereliction with calls for some landscaping or constructive use. Such reasonable appeals have resulted in a rush of blood to the heads of Tesco management, the consequence of which is the erection of a solid board fence around much of the area.
The fence is unsightly, open to fly posting and graffiti and may possibly infringe planning regulations.
What is more alarming is the scale and height which can be intimidating and threatening, even in daylight.
The structure displays a quite staggering degree of arrogance and insensitivity on the part of Tesco senior management. Unfortunately, their actions could reflect upon the local store staff who are invariably competent and helpful. How sad their efforts should be overshadowed by the ill-considered actions of their superiors.
Ken Cameron. 11 St Michaels Drive, Cupar.
Alternative to tree felling
Sir, It does indeed seem ironic that Perth and Kinross Council seem to place such a low value on ancient trees within the city given that Perthshire is famed as the Big Tree Country.
As a former pupil of Perth Academy I would like the councillors to think about this reputation when they vote to decide the fate of the irreplaceable Scots pine in the school grounds. To me the pine represents a key part of the school’s environment and setting.
Nature is too often at risk from the kind of short-term thinking that would allow a tree which means so much to so many young people to be felled, despite an obvious alternative.
As groups including the Woodland Trust have pointed out, the artificial sports pitch could easily be placed a short distance away, allowing future generations of pupils to enjoy the benefits of the new pitch and this ancient tree.
Ian Darling. Immediate past Chairman, RSPB and former pupil of Perth Academy.
Contentious street names
Sir, Angela Rennie confuses two issues in her recent letter (Leave Dundee’s old streets as they are, August 17). The first is whether old street names should be changed and one can certainly see a case for caution. The other issue is whether, should a street name be changed, consideration should be given to using that as an opportunity to show solidarity with oppressed people.
I remember the hoo-ha when Glasgow council took a stand against South African apartheid by renaming St George’s Place as Nelson Mandela Place.
I also remember that the Tories at that time labelled Mandela a terrorist for opposing apartheid.
I for one would be proud to see Cross Row, right at the heart of our university campus, renamed Nablus Place.
Brian Dempsey. 7 Balmore Street, Dundee.
Failure to stand by the word
Sir, What sad comments Rev David Robertson makes about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government.
Although the violence used to curtail the gay community is obviously totally unacceptable, God states that homosexuality is an “abomination” and in the New Testament Paul strongly condemns these “sexual perversions”, so doubtless the gay element class both God and Paul as homophobics.
Rather a shame that the Church doesn’t have the courage to stand by the word, and in fact their arrogance to alter what we have faithfully accepted for centuries implicitly reflects on today’s Church.
Ernest Powrie. 26 Sycamore Place, Northmuir, Kirriemuir.
Stop blaming others
Sir, I read Alistair McLean’s letter in Monday’s Courier (August 19) and found myself nodding in agreement with everything he wrote regarding the accident Mr Yorke was involved in and for which the police were held to blame by both Mr Yorke and his mother.
I fail to see why the police were censured, they were not the ones pouring alcohol down this person’s throat, and, as was stated, since they are not responsible for providing a taxi service for everyone who takes too much alcohol, then Mr Yorke should accept responsibility for his own actions instead of blaming others.
This may all sound a bit harsh but there are too many people trying to sue others these days because of their own avoidable actions.
June Reid. 12 Findhorn Street, Dundee.
It’s a matter of convenience
Sir, With all the expected developments in and around Dundee it’s about time to have a serious look into the chronic lack of clean and accessible public toilets . Considering the rapidly ageing population, far more should be done to sort out this problem.
It’s a simple fact that many elderly folk have to plan their journeys carefully to avoid being in severe discomfort. Yes, there are toilets in shopping malls (generally on the top floor) and in most cafes, but these are not always convenient.
If we really want to attract more visitors and business to the city, funding has to be made available for such vital ancillary projects.
Bob Smart. 55 Bellevue Gardens, Arbroath.
Also weary of the denigrators
Sir, If Alistair Clark (Letters, August 15) spent the two days of the Perth Show keeping an eye on Perth City Market Trust’s display, it is surprising that none of us noticed him. We must have been too busy! Yet he never bothered to come and talk to us, otherwise he would have learnt something.
The only truthful statement in his letter is that indeed “every-body is weary of the City Hall saga”. However, telling me that I need “to step up to the mark pretty soon” reveals he is not even aware that the trust has to follow Perth and Kinross Council’s proper procedures.
If he knew anything about our proposals he could not possibly assert they “require extensive internal and external demolition and rebuilding” when as every interested party appreciates our whole purpose is preservation and regeneration.
He asks if I can say: “Which would be quickest, renovation or demolition?” Nothing easier! Our project on site will last only about 18 months with minimal hoarding around the site and minimal external disruption, because 90% of the work will be done inside the building.
In contrast, demolition and site clearance, then the necessary excavation for diversion/ replacement of all main services and for the archaeological investigation that would be bound to follow exposure of the mediaeval burial ground, then formation of the planned ‘civic square’ with all its traffic and environmental implications, would require massive hoardings around the whole site and extend over three or more years
What I and my colleagues are so weary of are the denigrators and deniers and disseminators of misinformation like Mr Clark.
Vivian Linacre. 21 Marshall Place, Perth.
Not as simple as it seems
Sir, Re recent comments in your paper on the reopening of the Perth to Edinburgh direct route; it is not as simple as people suggest and think.
The original route branched off the line to Ladybank at Bridge of Earn and ran partly on what is now the M90. It climbed up to Glenfarg and through a tunnel and on to Milnathort, then to Cowdenbeath and over the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh.
Although not impossible, for the section from Perth to Milnathort it would mean a complete reroute from the original as much of the original track bed has been built on.
The reopening of the line is not as simple as some have suggested, ie just replacing the track. It would require a new route and a complete rebuild in many areas.
If a route was opened, however, it would reduce journey time from Perth to Edinburgh. It would also mean reduced times if the Inverness trains ran on the new route too as the current route via Kirkcaldy is very slow due to tunnels and nature of the run round the coast.
Edward Carr. ex-Senior Railway Manager, 75a Edinburgh Road, Perth.