Interactive: Clear the decks of mobile phone nuisance on buses

Modern life is stressful enough without having to endure the added and unnecessary annoyance of listening to inane one-sided conversations.

Obviously at times it is unavoidable and the damned things are here to stay.

But might I suggest a solution - that the upper deck be reserved for those wishing to use mobile phones, and that the lower deck be a mobile-free zone

This arrangement worked for many years for smokers, who were allowed to smoke upstairs before that was banned outright (quite right too).

Brian Sneddon, Colinton Mains Loan, Edinburgh

Brewing up idea for White House

I READ your article regarding the sad deterioration of the White House pub in Craigmillar (News, July 14) and the community arts and Craigmillar Parc's project to host a photographic exhibition there, prior to full restoration.

I suggest bringing back the Scottish Brewing Archive that is languishing in Glasgow.

Surely it's time that Craigmillar's brewing history (there were seven breweries in all) came home and found a resting place in the White House project.

Philip Charles Greenan, Carrick Knowe Road, Edinburgh

Cancellation is an expensive affair

the ForthRight Alliance welcomes the call by Lord Foulkes (News, July 19) for the Scottish Government to reconsider their current commitment to a new Forth road bridge.

Given that engineers are confident that the cable drying now fully installed on the existing bridge will work, it is surely incumbent on any responsible government in these financially straitened times to wait until next year to see whether that is indeed the case before signing contracts costing Scottish taxpayers over 2 billion.

It may be the case that cancellation would cost 22 million. But Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson is surely only too well aware that his cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link cost more than 40m.

Lawrence Marshall, Chair, ForthRight Alliance, Rose Street, Edinburgh

First gig was the deepest .. water

YOU have to sympathise with the fans who had the misfortune to attend Rod Stewart's first night in Edinburgh. The horrendous monsoon-like conditions reminded me of the time when David Bowie played Murrayfield during the early 80s in exactly the same conditions and as a result the gig was a total wash out.

You would have thought that lessons might have been learned and though it may have been a great letdown for everyone concerned, would it not have been better to have the gig rescheduled?

In extreme conditions the safety of the thousands who attend big open-air gigs surely has to take precedence and it may also be the case that the organisation may descend into chaos adding to the frustration and disappointment that some fans may have experienced and endured.If the Castle is to host similar future events, perhaps it would be a good idea to have some sort of contingency plan in the event of adverse conditions.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

NHS supports free information

YOUR article on July 15 stated that NHS Lothian had "refused to reveal how many heavily pregnant women have been turned away from Simpsons".

I would like to clarify this for your readers. NHS Lothian did not refuse to reveal these details. We cannot provide information we don't hold and this was explained in the letter sent in response to your Freedom of Information request.

NHS Lothian fully supports and provides all information requested under Freedom of Information legislation.

Alan Boyter, director of human resources and organisational development, NHS Lothian