Letters Page

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Transport ‘madness’

SIR, – To coin that Terry Wogan saying: “Is it me?” I must question the apparent brainless goings-on in Highland Council’s transport department.

As local road-users know, the approach to the Ness Bridge by Tomnahurich Street/Huntly Street is chaos at the best of times, and downright madness at rush-hour. Basically, the people who devised the timings of the lights clearly never use it, or have decided to play a practical joke on us.

Now, to add to the queues and cars stranded halfway across other traffic lanes and entries/exits, we have three sets of pedestrian lights to snarl up traffic – an original one by a blind corner turning upwards towards Woolworths, a new one by the town hall, and a refurbished one by McDonald’s.

Why do we need three pedestrian crossings within a 100-yard stretch on a critical thoroughfare off a bridge, and a traffic lights system that does not reflect the current usage of the roads?

I am not too surprised, given this is the council that threatened to reduce primary school teacher numbers in 2008/09 while finding £165,000 for pretty lights under Ness Bridge.

If there is a perfectly reasonable explanation, why have they not told us?

Meanwhile, I sit in my car trying to get my children to school.

Julian Bishop,

Rose Cottage,

Fasnakyle,

Cannich, Beauly.

Problems with airline service

SIR, – I write regarding your piece (May 12) on the service that British Airways does not give to the north-east. Being a gold-card holder, I can concur fully with your description of the diabolical regime that persists through the full range of what BA offers as Britain's Favourite Airline.

The problems are much deeper than you stated.

As a company working worldwide, we changed recently from British Airways to asking our agent for anything but British Airways.

The new Gatwick service is good, tries to be as efficient as possible, and although one has to pay for the in-flight service it is a breath of fresh air to what BA offered.

The Heathrow service is dogged by “sorry, we are running a bit late this morning” or “hopefully we will make up the time” or “we’ve missed our slot”, only to arrive and there is no gate ready, or taxi-ing takes as long as the flight did.

There is a 30% chance that you will not get your bag when you arrive.

At Terminal 5, you are treated like a pest.

I have pledged to avoid British Airways as much as I can as they are truly awful. Hopefully, the airline will disappear in a takeover.

Colin G.M. Campbell,

Cruachan,

Whiteford,

Pitcaple.

Contribution of Scots ‘ignored’

SIR, – Blood pressures, including my own, would have no doubt risen steadily during and after the recent TV programme Salute from a City, in which London paid tribute to the armed forces which are serving, or have served, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Once again, and inexplicably, the contribution made by the Scottish portion of the armed forces seems to be almost completely ignored. Almost, that is, if one can count a solitary piper of the TA London Scottish regiments attempting to emulate the lone piper of Edinburgh military tattoo fame.

One could take grim satisfaction in stating that, of course, as per usual, the Scottish regiments are wholly committed to frontline duties.

But it’s not good enough.

Surely among the numerous TA and other allied units a pipe band could have been seen to march on the night.

As a boost to morale, what a let-down – not for the first time.

Iain D. MacCallum,

Cnoc Uaine,

Braes of Kilmorack,

Beauly.

Old, bold pilot gives lie to saying

SIR, – “There are old pilots and bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots”, or so the saying goes.

However, after reading your story (the Press and Journal, May 12) about Captain Eric Brown, the former Royal Navy test pilot who holds the record for flying the greatest variety of aircraft, and is the Fleet Air Arm’s most decorated pilot, now age 89, the phrase about old and bold pilots must now be obsolete.

No one can deserve an honorary degree more than Capt Eric Brown, as he is undoubtedly old and bold.

James Murray,

250 George Street,

Aberdeen.

‘Disgusting’ state of beach

SIR, – Having read the letter (the Press and Journal, May 13) from Roger Houghton on the disgusting state of Aberdeen beach, I feel I must write to you.

A fortnight ago, my daughter and son-in-law took their three-year-old son to the beach.

Our grandson picked up a syringe. My son-in-law quickly took it, wrapped it in tissues and put it in a bin. The syringe had no needle, but it spoiled the day for them and my daughter vows she'll never go down to the beach again.

I agree with Mr Houghton that with the approach of summer, surely people should be employed to keep the beach clean and free from litter, not only for the enjoyment of visitors to Aberdeen but the local people also.

A great fuss is made every year about the Britain in Bloom awards; what about striving for a Blue Flag Beach award?

Hilda G. Wallace,

26 Henderson Drive,

Skene,

Westhill,

Aberdeenshire.

Compensation package

SIR, – So the chancellor has announced a generous compensation package to make good the prime minister's “mistake" in abolishing the 10p tax rate.

The question is: how are we going to pay for this, as pay for it we will?

Bob Ross,

10 Blackpark Terrace,

Inverness.