Castlebrae closure would be devastating for community

If Castlebrae High School was to close down I don’t think I would get to sit similar subjects at another school. I enjoy studying at Castlebrae as it is quite a close knit school and I know all of the teachers. One of my older sisters has just left and is studying advanced higher education. I also have another sister who is in her sixth year at Castlebrae, studying for her highers and advanced highers.

If this school was to close it would be devastating for all those pupils who are willing to learn. Quite a few pupils need extra support and this doesn’t happen in many other schools in Edinburgh because of the numbers in each class.

I really hope Castlebrae stays open, at least until they build a new school in Niddrie and Craigmillar catchment area, because I think this would be devastating for the community as there has been a high school in this area for many, many years.

Colette Fulton, Craigmillar, Edinburgh

Telferton is not a brownfield site

In response to AJE Shields’ letter (News, October 3) I would like to put right some of his points.

First, East and West Telferton is not a brownfield site. According to the Collins English Dictionary, a brownfield site is defined as follows: denoting or located in an urban area that has previously been built on.

So, as it is still being used as an industrial estate, it can not be classed as a brownfield site.

Secondly, the industrial units are not owned by the firms that use them, but are only leased. The council would have to buy the estate from the owners, which would likely cost more than it would to build the school.

Thirdly, there would be major disruption to road and rail as they build the tunnels, which would add even more to the cost.

Douglas Stocks, Edinburgh

Enforcing road law is best deterrent

As a regular cyclist and driver I had to laugh at the latest bike safety campaign by the police.

Yet again police plan to educate drivers on the importance of cyclist safety features. It was not that long ago when we had a similar campaign with the stern warning that enforcement would be the next  stage.

How hard is it for people to understand that if there is a big bike painted on the road that you should not stop there in a motor vehicle? Also how hard is it for cyclists to work out that if it is dark it may be safer to put lights on your bike?

When will the police start doing what they are meant to do and actually start enforcing the law? Perhaps then we will see a reduction in  accidents.

The last campaign clearly hasn’t worked, why will this one be any different? Do more cyclists have to be killed before proper action is taken?

Andrew Groat, Clerwood Park, Edinburgh

Lamont rattles comrade’s cage

reading Martin Hannan’s latest rants about Johann Lamont’s speech I had an impression that she made him really angry. And for a good reason. She rattled the cage and the inhabitants are getting uneasy. What if more politicians follow suit?

What if empty promises and plain electoral bribery will be named and ridiculed? It can not be good news for comrade Hannan’s circles. He gets so personal in his tirade that one might think, “Hmm.. must be something going on here”.

Or maybe “something for nothing” culture is fine with comrade Hannan and SNP? It makes things simple. We give you something and you vote for us. Why upset this beautiful natural order of things?

Walter Kazmierczak, Water Street, Edinburgh

Perks outweigh tax

Johann Lamont’s speech included a comment that Scandinavian countries have high taxation, meant to counter the use by the SNP of Scandinavian good examples.

Yes, these countries have high taxation. They also have high incomes, high benefits, and a higher standard of living than Scots are ever likely to enjoy inside the present UK.

David Stevenson, Blacket Place, Edinburgh