True-grit cyclists show rest of city way to go when it snows

Published on Saturday 26 December 2009 10:09

IN YOUR article 'Snow brings chaos as city centre left at a standstill' (News, 23 December), it was good to see a photo of a commuter cycling in to work even though the snow would be up past pedestrians' ankles.

I heard someone on the radio calling cyclists stupid for persisting while the city is engulfed with snow.

But if you think about it, is it the cyclists who are being stupid? If a motorist is driving up a snowbound road which becomes impassable, they are left with two choices – ditch the car and find another mode of transport, leaving their vehicle unattended, or reverse to where they had been, a precarious task in this weather.

The cyclist, meanwhile, can sling his arm through the bike's frame, balance the top of it on his shoulder and trudge through the snow until arriving at a spot where the going looks better and two wheels can once again make contact with snowy tarmac for the journey to continue.

When winter hits the Capital with a vengeance and cars can't be guaranteed they will arrive at their destination, while some bus services may not even be running, the bicycle is the best option for the committed commuter.

Unless your boss concedes he can spare you, in which case remaining under a warm duvet is the most appealing choice of all!

Colin Carmichael, Dalry Road, Edinburgh

Miles before gritter was finally sighted

I TRAVELLED from Edinburgh to Bellshill on Wednesday at 06.45 on the M8 in the most dangerous conditions I have ever driven in.

I only knew I was still on the road when my tyres went over the raised pieces at the hard shoulder. I heard the transport minister saying the gritters worked "round the clock".

Bearing in mind the length of my journey, it's pretty poor that the first time I saw a snow plough/gritter was Eurocentral in Lanarkshire.

Before anyone says "why did you travel", I had previously been told if I did not make it into work, I would have to work back the lost hours or lose a day's pay.

Paul Wilson, Myreside Road, Edinburgh

Evidence of fascist state beginning

ASSUMING Sir John Chilcot's honesty, I think he must be a bit thick, or else he believes we are, according to his reasoning in not calling Gordon Brown or any cabinet ministers before his inquiry team before the next election.

He has insisted that the investigation "should remain firmly outside party politics". A general election is about nothing else but that, yet he has decided not to interview such people before the next one – without even knowing the date of it!

The important people in this matter are the electorate, not the politicians or civil servants, and I would bet that most of us would expect the Chilcot committee to interview first Tony Blair, who decided to go to war, then Gordon Brown, who agreed to finance it.

This is an obvious "stitch-up", and as such clear evidence Britain is becoming a fascist state.

Robert Dow, Ormiston Road, Tranent

Independent test needed on tenders

NOW that it has been voted through by the council that they will put out to tender the contracts for services carried out by its workforce, will the council state if the collating of these tenders will be independently carried out?

That way the public will have the confidence that the procedure is both clear and transparent, removing any suspicion.

David Black, Kenmure Avenue, Edinburgh

Battle over, but the war continues

THE sale of the record by the eventual winner of the battle for the Christmas No 1 raised thousands of pounds for a homeless charity. Excellent news, but though the battle for No 1 is over, the battle to help provide for the homeless is not.

It's particularly important at this time of year when temperatures plunge below zero that we all do our bit in what is supposed to be a civilised society to make life more comfortable for those who for whatever reason are not best placed to do so for themselves at the moment.

Keep digging deep, keep the fight against homelessness going.

Neil Atkins, St John's Road, Edinburgh