Sir, – Fergus Mutch of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce says that the new Aberdeen stadium can expect a footfall of 751,700 people each year and generate £1 billion to the local economy.
If each one of these people are paying to attend the new stadium, with a typical entrance fee between £15 and £20, then the club will have a revenue stream between £12 million and £15m per annum. Potentially £750m over the 50-year projected life span of the stadium.
That is a tenfold return on investment. Why would the club need council taxpayer assistance to finance the stadium?
These people will also spend money going to and from the stadium, even at £10 per head that is half a billion to the local economy.
Looks like a win-win, so it’s hard to see why money needed for local services should go the football club when it will have such a high revenue stream from the new stadium all to themselves.
Walter Service, Danestone.
Migrants complaining about accommodation is a disgrace
Sir, – I write with regard to the article in the news about a petrol bomb being hurled into a migrant centre in Dover.
I do not condone or agree with violence or acts of terrorism in any shape or form. There is, however, something fundamentally wrong with allowing such numbers of migrants into the UK each and every day. I believe 1,000 people entered the UK via the Channel only a couple of days ago.
What, in my opinion, belies belief is many migrants are complaining about the conditions of the migrant camps, where they are living in temporary accommodation.
What do they expect? To be whisked away in taxis to the Hilton Hotel in London and live in five-star luxury with all meals included, for an indefinite length of time? They “chose” to get on a boat and come here.
I have no issues with people coming to the UK if they are genuinely fleeing war, famine, torture and are literally fleeing for their lives. However, there are many who have merely decided to freeload themselves on to our shores for a so-called “better life”. Many migrants are entering the UK from countries where there is no unrest in any shape or form whatsoever. That is what I object to.
Ukrainians who have come to the UK seeking safety and shelter are grateful for a safe haven, warmth and a bed anywhere and with anyone who is willing to accommodate them. Do you hear them complaining about “conditions” and the standard of accommodation in which they have been placed? No, of course not. Because they are genuine, sincere people who are literally fleeing for their lives.
Migrants “choose” to come to the UK. Ukrainian people do not have the luxury of being given a choice, but have made it very clear they are eternally grateful for any help that we can offer them, are willing to work and to adapt the best way they can to our way of life and customs.
Migrants complaining about accommodation in camps is a disgrace. Nobody has forced them to come here.
If conditions were so bad where they came from, they would certainly not be complaining about conditions here, would they?
Christine McLellan, Church Road, Duffus, Moray.
All we ask for is good governance
Sir, – If you don’t learn from the past then, unfortunately, you repeat the mistakes of the past.
The difference being we had “Sunny Jim” Callaghan in 1978 and 1979 but this time we have two governments at Westminster and Edinburgh who do not seem to understand the value of both NHS and non-NHS key workers.
Yes, first minister, we owe a debt of gratitude to those in the NHS but let us see how the country functions without refuse collectors, lorry drivers, supermarket staff and the vast number of key workers not involved in the NHS. Or maybe let us not.
You might be about to find out, as already Royal Mail delivery staff, refuse workers and rail staff and council workers have been on strike and ambulance staff seem to be following suit.
Thank goodness the lorry drivers and supermarket staff have not joined or, worse, everyone comes out on strike at once. That would be fun – or then again maybe not.
While King Charles III makes his way through prime ministers – on number two already and some folks want a general election – his late mother HM The Queen had 15 prime ministers in a 70-year reign. One quit on September 6 and the other appointed on the same day has already resigned after ruining the economy in only seven weeks.
So any chance we could not have a general election or independence referendum and just good, old-fashioned competent government and look to radical electoral reform and federalism instead?
Did leaving the EU not frighten folk enough that we need to break up another union?
Peter Ovenstone, Orchard Grove, Peterhead.
Ignoring benefits of green spaces
Sir, – The astute analysis offered by Professor Linda Bauld on the benefits of green spaces on the BBC’s Who Lives In Scotland? should be reason for local and national government to get a grip on ideas regarding the permanent ruination of St Fittick’s Park in Aberdeen due to ham-fisted, hapless schemes which ignore the intelligence of keeping Torry’s local park for the city and its citizens.
As all parks, gardens and green spaces are vital for the enrichment of human life it makes no sense at all to persevere with the outmoded plans connected with the secretive people who are intent on destroying them.
If the council had any integrity or professionalism everything would be fully in the public domain. True to form, much still is not and demonstrates utter contempt for the public.
Similarly, the council’s idea to incinerate its waste is typical of an administration that cannot produce cohesive, joined-up thinking and latches on to whatever nonsense is being pushed by those with ulterior motives for their vainglorious ends. It’s clear the city council’s green future is green-rinsed and washed to gargantuan proportions.
Ian Beattie, Baker Street, Aberdeen.
Crack down on selfish parkers
Sir, – I am writing in exasperation at the continued flouting of the law with regard to parking restrictions at the entrance to my street.
I have been a resident of View Terrace in Rosemount for over three years now, and over that time period I have watched this situation get progressively worse and worse.
Every time I attempt to exit from View Terrace on to Rosemount Place, there are cars parked illegally right at the junction (sometimes on both the right and left) blocking my view and making it extremely dangerous to be able to pull out safely.
There are clear double yellow lines marked there for a reason, but selfish motorists seem to think they know better than to obey the rules which are designed for all our safety.
With the dark nights setting in this problem is exacerbated and I fear that it can only be a matter of time before there is an accident between vehicles and/or pedestrians.
To all those who park illegally at the end of View Terrace to pop into Sainsburys or another local business, please take the time to park a little more sensibly and spare a thought for other road users.
Where are all the traffic wardens when you need them?
Tara Geddes, View Terrace, Aberdeen.
Ban the sale of fireworks
Sir, – For many years our politicians have been reluctant to ban the retail sale of fireworks, but after seeing the violent riots in Dundee last week with fireworks being thrown at the police and firemen, the time has come to ban retail sale completely.
Dennis F Grattan, Bucksburn.
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