Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – The A9 is perceived to be the most dangerous road in Scotland, and part of it probably is. However, the figures quoted on your front page (Tragic toll of A9 misery, June 14), among previous others, fail to demonstrate the point you are trying to make one section of the road has such a high accident rate dualling is urgently needed.
The statistic of 67 fatalities on the whole of the A9 over the past five years tells of much sadness and loss, but fails to afford comparisons either with other roads or between different sections of the A9 itself. One figure for the whole 273-mile length of this heterogeneous road tells us little.
From Falkirk to Dunblane the A9 has not been a trunk road since the building of the M9. The Dunblane to Perth section was dualled more than 20 years ago, although some dangerous junctions remain. Beyond Inverness the mainly single carriageway road presumably carries progressively less traffic as one proceeds northwards to Thurso. The section under scrutiny, the section that earns the whole road its bad reputation, is the Perth to Inverness component at 115 miles less than half the total length.
We surely need both absolute and comparative data for this section specifically.
If the answer to the parliamentary question quite appropriately asked by Murdo Fraser MSP is worth the paper it’s written on it must surely provide a breakdown of the figures as suggested.
Perhaps he could provide these answers through your columns? It may well be that they would reinforce the argument for the earliest possible dualling.
Arthur Davis.Kinnaird Steading,Pitlochry.
This does not augur well for the future
Sir, – Caroline Lindsay’s article (June 15) demonstrates, in my opinion, a serious shortcoming in our education system.
If such ignorance of our rural affairs exists amongst our present generations how shall our successors be able to judge the actual intentions of future environmental policies of our and other governments?
Shall huge swathes of our agricultural land be condemned to the production of biomass fuel, with any opposition incapable of offering reasoned argument, for example, on behalf of food production?
Would vested interests be recognised?
Our geography lessons at school included substantial description of farming, fishing, industrial activity and mineral acquisition, giving us a good grounding in environmental matters.
Fife, for instance, was described, we were told, by one of the King Jameses, as ”a beggar’s mantle fringed with gold”.
Changed days, of course, thanks in part to the EU. As wartime children, we were only too aware of where food came from. (I recall that orange juice could be obtained only on prescription!)
Parents must do some educating of their children as well, of course, but our children’s future will ultimately depend on what they learn in the classroom. That is what employers look for.
A T Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
Danger in such an attitude
Sir, – The letter from K J McDougal (June 15) shows us the extreme anti-German viewpoints that still exist today, years after the Second World War. The letter could have been written by someone who had been frozen in time and suddenly re-awakened.
To ignore the letter would have been easy to do, until I realised what it signifies. It shows a real dislike for another nation, which is precisely what led to the great wars.
Lest your correspondent thinks that all Germans were the same, there is a memorial to the German resistance movement in Berlin. This remembers the sacrifice many Germans made to try to rid their country of extremism.
I used to laugh at the Fawlty Towers sketch when on meeting a German the character was told ”do not mention the war”.
Now I realise the sketch writer was basing his character on real life.
John Montgomery.24 March Crescent,Cellardyke.
Who else will be excluded?
Sir, – I believe it takes a 75% majority to change the South African constitution.
A letter today suggests that the SPL majority for change should alter from 11 to one to 9 to 3.
The SNP want to change the British constitution by separation with any simple majority with even less than 50% of the people eligible to vote for change.
There is no comparison with electing a representative to government which can be changed next time. This is irrevocable. Our British Government should set a high percentage majority.
They want to exclude Scots temporarily living away and bring in 16 to 18-year-olds before their education is even finished.
Next it will be 10-year-olds and the exclusion of anyone over 60.
Any comparison with the Falklands is inappropriate. They are owned by Britain rather than part of Britain and don’t send members to Parliament.
R J Soutar.37 Camperdown Street,Broughty Ferry.
Concert was a wonderful treat
Sir, – On Saturday June 16 we attended the concert marking the 75th anniversary of the Gannochy Trust.
The combined RSNO and PYO played beautifully. Alasdair Beatson played so well I am convinced that he is the best pianist in the UK if not in the world.
This was a treat for my husband for his birthday and what a treat it was!
Isabel Wardrop.111 Viewlands Road West,Perth.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.