SIR, – I write as an ardent Aberdonian, one who takes great civic pride and interest in the city's history and architectural heritage.
Ambitious and meritorious as the proposed redevelopment of Union Terrace Gardens is – particularly the covering of the airspace above the Denburn dual carriageway white elephant – any plan that involves the destruction of the gardens must be rejected publicly, and vetoed by the planning authority.
Exactly how many of Aberdeen’s heritage landmarks and buildings must be forsaken and lost in the name of so-called progress? I do not reject progress – the blending of traditional and contemporary architectures – but it is the proposed scale and consequences of the development to which I object.
I want Aberdeen and Shire to be prosperous and successful, a green and beautiful place in which to live, work and visit, but at what cost?
Does Sir Ian Wood not want our open spaces to be worthy of international comparison; accessible, diverse and environmentally rich, fulfilling all of our cultural, social and recreational needs?
Remember, Aberdeen has won the Britain in Bloom competition a record 10 times, with Union Terrace Gardens’ floral designs as the centrepiece.
In Edinburgh, Princes Street Gardens flourishes, in every sense.
Erik A. Bjorkelund,
Tillydrone Road,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – We must all hope that Chancellor Alistair Darling's colossal gamble with our money is successful, and we should also be grateful that the decrease in VAT has been neutralised by an increase in the tax on alcohol, tobacco and petrol, just in case his largesse makes us feel like spoiling ourselves too much.
Of course, when the VAT goes up again, 13 months from now, the tax on the naughty luxuries will be removed. Won't it?
John Duff,
The Granary,
Cluniebank Road,
Braemar.
SIR, – So now we've heard it. After weeks of speculation about the contents of Chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-Budget report to cope with the impending recession, he has delivered it in detail.
VAT is coming down, there’s help for pensioners, parents and over-stretched mortgagees, future increases in national insurance contributions and a new 45% income tax for very high earners.
But, hidden in the detail is something for Scotland – “more flexibility" in the timing of capital projects.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney will give us details of how the Scottish Government intends to use this ability to bring forward capital projects.
From a north-east point of view, there can be no project more justified to advance than the dear old Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), long-awaited, highly economic and nearing the end of a protracted inquiry.
With construction seriously affected by the recession in the housing market, resulting in surplus plant and labour, a vital oil industry trying to cope with $50-a-barrel prices, and the only coastal city in Britain with no bypass, surely this is the time to build the AWPR to reduce congestion and transport costs and to improve the competitiveness of Aberdeen?
Mike Daw,
21 School Road,
Newmachar.
SIR, – I am a badly-bruised shareholder in three of our blue-chip banks. Would someone please tell me why everyone is now shouting at these banks to keep lending willy-nilly?
When I bought my first house, I had a very uncomfortable meeting with my bank manager before he would lend me a penny.
Now, with banks having hopefully learned their lesson, surely it is time they became a bit more circumspect.
Many businesses will not be viable in this downturn, while many prospective house owners will be incapable of servicing a mortgage in a shrinking labour market.
I would hope commonsense is now guiding bank loans, and I trust they are keeping well clear of the gambling instincts of this government.
Dr F.L.P. Fouin,
147 North Deeside Road,
Milltimber,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – I was appalled to read (the Press and Journal, November 24) that yet another person has died as a result of falling from Aberdeen’s Union Bridge.
Earlier this year, I peered over the edge at the terrifying drop that sits so close to hundreds of passing pedestrians and was psychologically pulled-down by the gravity of the huge, dismal descent in immediate view.
To any reasonable person – in this age of drunkenness, drug-taking and antisocial behaviour, and especially when Union Terrace Gardens is the focus of heated, active debate – it would seem obvious that Union Bridge, sitting in the centre of the city's main shopping area, is a serious potential hazard.
The very least our council could do is to erect a canopy, safety net or fence to ensure that no one can jump or, worse, be pushed over the edge to certain death.
If council leaders were held accountable for corporate manslaughter, the poor individual who died recently might have been saved by the application of suitable safety measures.
Lance Black,
Seafield Road,
Aberdeen.