Interactive: Taxi restrictions put public in more vulnerable position

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Evening News, 108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS

IN REPORTING the jailing of a drug-fuelled sex attacker who was pretending to be a "taxi driver", you quote Lady Smith saying: "What she needed was a licensed taxi to uplift her and take her safely back to the hostel where she was staying. What she did not need was the nightmare experience which followed" (News, April 20).

This case proves that as far back as February 2009 the council was well aware of the difficulty of hailing a licensed taxi at peak times and the vulnerable position this puts the public in.

Yet since then, the council has refused 92 taxi licences to those who want to provide the improved service at these times the public deserves.

The council is even defending its refusal to grant licences in court, despite the real concerns this and other cases raise about public safety because of its artificial restriction.

How can any local authority possibly claim to be discharging its public duty to ensure public safety unless and until it has done everything it can?

Jim Taylor, The Murrays Brae, Edinburgh

Jumper lost, and so are old values

THE other day on my way to work on the train from Bathgate to Edinburgh, I left my jumper on the seat as I alighted. After a colder walk back to Waverley following work than I had anticipated, I went to the lost property office.

There, I was told by an employee, who was very polite, that my garment had not yet been handed in, and advised to check later.

What surprised me, though, was that, if my jumper were to appear on the lost property shelf, I would have to pay to have it back.

Some years ago I left a bag on the train after a day at university. That was in the days of the much-maligned British Rail.

However, I was able, then, to retrieve my possessions, including an important essay, quickly and free of charge. Now it seems we have swapped a national service for a for-profit ideal where cash is king.

I may never get my jumper back, but can we have some of our old values returned, please?

John Campbell, Bathgate

Review of Billy Elliot was off key

I MUST wholeheartedly disagree with Sarah Nisbet's review of Owen McHugh's performance in Billy Elliot (News, 21 April), considering this is a 12-year-old boy who is an excellent dancer and has so much potential. His singing voice can only improve as he matures. The show as a whole was excellent.

Kathleen Tipping, Fauldburn, East Craigs, Edinburgh

City is flush with public toilets

IN RESPONSE to Simon Musgrove's letter (Interactive, 20 April), there are 13 public toilets in the city centre area. Two in Princes Street (The Mound and the West End) and also at Castle Terrace Car Park, Haymarket, Tollcross, Middle Meadow Walk, Buccleuch Street, Nicolson Square, the Tron, Castle Hill, St Andrew Square, Cathedral Lane and London Road. Hardly a shortage of toilets.

Louise Alder, Magdalene Avenue, Edinburgh

Memories lost on trip to visit Castle

WE HAVE just come back from having a fantastic Easter holiday in Scotland, part of which was spent in Edinburgh. The countryside and the sights were stunning. The people were so friendly and helpful.

However, when we got back to our home in Devon we discovered our camcorder was missing. We think it must have disappeared when we visited the Castle. Since then we have spent much of our time thinking about all the memories that are on it.

Many are very special as we have recently lost some close family, friends and pets.We have made inquiries in all the places where we thought we could have left it and contacted the police.

Alas, it seems to have vanished so I wondered if I could appeal to the people of Edinburgh to keep an eye out for it. It is a silver Panasonic digital camcorder in a small beige canvas case.

Rebecca White, 2 Hatchlands Farm Cottages, Harberton, Totnes Devon TQ9 7LR