Bus buggy users have options that the disabled lack

Published on Tuesday 3 June 2008 10:22

I HAVE read the numerous letters on the subject of wheelchair versus baby buggy allocation on buses. I really could not imagine anyone not being prepared to give up that area to a wheelchair user. That was until I read the letter from Amanda Clark on Saturday.

Ms Clark is evidently unable to comprehend the basic principles of the Disability Discrimination Act and concludes equality for disabled people means being excluded from public transport if a parent with buggy is in the disabled space. She can choose any bus at any time and select a seat anywhere on the bus and a wheelchair user has one area. That is equality?

Ms Clark can opt to fold up her buggy; walk to the back of the bus and chose an alternative seat – a wheelchair user cannot do that. That is not equality, that is disability.

She states she struggles to get on the bus with her pram and two children. Ms Clark has a lot of choices a disabled person may never have. It was her choice to have two children as it was her choice to choose that specific pram and to make that journey and to get on that bus – or not as the case may be.

A wheelchair user may have a carer to help them, time is limited, they may only have a carer a few hours a week and they can only get on the buses that actually lower down and allow access on to the bus. They may have medical reasons which mean time is limited for them to be out their homes. Most importantly, a disabled wheelchair user does not choose to be disabled.

Ms Clark is fortunate that she does not rely on a wheelchair and have to rely on public transport. She states she has only once been offered assistance on the bus in the past two years. With her attitude that does not surprise me.

Kaz Langlands, The Promenade, Musselburgh

Range of funding ideas being eyed

I AM writing in response to Gavin Brown's Mouthpiece, "Council must wake up and realise bed tax is not the answer" (May 29).

It is important to stress that we are constantly forced to seek new ways to fund the city's festivals, events, and various tourist offerings. Yet his comment piece makes no suggestion of how we source this funding.

The council is looking at methods of financing and enhancing the tourism offering in the city. We need to look at imaginative ways to fund the sector and ensure the private sector also plays a part. So we are considering a range of potential future funding sources – just one of the options being considered is a tourist levy.

Mr Brown comments that "Anything which endangers (Edinburgh's ability to attract tourists] needs to be shelved – quickly." However, maintaining Edinburgh's international reputation as a tourist destination isn't helped by the complacency of MSPs who are not prepared to bite the bullet and rise to the challenge of ensuring Scotland's capital maintains its competitive edge.

Cllr Tom Buchanan, economic development convener, Edinburgh City Council

Mail not given a level playing field

I AM sick and tired of people like John Eoin Douglas (Letters, May 19) putting down the Royal Mail.

When the mail was opened up to private companies, Royal Mail did not have a level playing field, they have a regulator, while private companies do not.

Your postman delivers TNT UK mail letters they don't want to do. For door to door deliveries they pay 12p a letter direct to the Royal Mail; to deliver your letters, you pay 37p.

Paul Martin, St Mary's Street, Edinburgh

Footballers should dribble, not spit

I SEE that there is an increase in spitting in public and when I walked out into my stair today the postman had spat in the communal stair: it was revolting.

When I phoned Royal Mail the person I spoke to thought it was vile too and said she thought it's on the increase partly because so many footballers are openly doing it during televised events in addition to there being a steady influx of people from alternate cultural backgrounds who have different attitudes towards it and are then seeing it openly being done on television which reinforces it as seemingly acceptable in our culture rather than discouraging as a truly repugnant habit.

I feel that it would be reasonable to request (as so many football matches are aired during family viewing times, meal times, and are a source of heroes and behavioural examples for people, particularly the young, to ask that football players and those associated with the teams stop spitting.

Spitting is a revolting habit.

S Driffill, Northfield Drive

Hard but fair game a lasting memory

AS a native of Cumnock but a long time east coast resident and with two sons born in a West Lothian hospital, I watched the Scottish Junior Cup Final between Bathgate and Cumnock on Sunday with mixed feelings.

Bathgate pipped Cumnock to the cup, for the first time in their history, so congratulations to them. But the real winners were the much maligned sport of junior football and the two communities. Hardly have I seen a game played so hard but fair, with none of the prima donna antics that disfigure the game at higher levels.

And I cannot remember a sporting occasion where I saw so many families, aged nine weeks to 90 years, dressed up and building an atmosphere that both sets of fans will remember for a long time.

Gavin Corbett, Briarbank Terrace, Edinburgh

Park-and-ride is a real saver for bank

I AM so glad the council has the money and the green space to extend the RBS staff car park, also known as the Ingliston park-and-ride. Has no-one noticed 20-plus folk boarding at the park and ride, then at least 19 folk getting off at RBS Gogarburn?

This is nothing more than the RBS staff car park. How much has RBS contributed to extending Ingliston parking?

Douglas Sykes, Calder Road, Edinburgh

Give fluoride on tap the brush-off

I AM certainly not in favour of fluoride being added to our drinking water supply (News, May 29). As it's thought half of all primary one children have some form of tooth decay, parents should ensure they cut down on sugary drinks, sweets, etc, and also visit the dentist regularly.

There really is no need for water fluoridation as it could lead to health problems.

A good sensible diet is essential and also a strict cleaning regime with toothpaste, which contains fluoride is really all that's required for healthy gums and teeth. Plus, of course, regular visits to the dentist. We simply don't need fluoride added at all to our water supply. A definite no to this. Hopefully it won't come to pass.

Mrs June Fleming, Hercus Loan, Musselburgh, East Lothian