Letters: City must pay the price if it wants to enter big league

I learned that Edinburgh City Council is considering abandoning the tram project. What will that say about its ambitions to be a city of international importance?

These things cost money - London's Jubilee Line extension took two years longer than expected and cost twice as much as planned at 3.5 billion.

The Olympics has also cost a lot more than was expected - the cost of the fantastic new infrastructure they are building down there has yet to be counted.

If Edinburgh wants to continue to attract business and tourism it has to follow through on the trams, which are cheap by comparison.

The London-based media often accuses Scotland of being over-funded - but this is not so. It is central government that is footing the bill for most of these huge projects down south.

Jackie Kemp, Leith Links, Edinburgh

Policies driving Scots voters out

I AGREE with Scott Gillies when he rejects the claim that anti-independence folk are all "right-wing" and that those who supported the SNP are all "radical left of centre" (Interactive, May 12).

Claims such as those contribute nothing to us all having grown-up discussions about an issue which the SNP's landslide win has now put firmly on to the nation's agenda.

Surely, therefore, pro-unionists must accept an enormous number of Scotland's citizens are so sick with predominantly right-wing policies being imposed upon them by Westminster governments over the past several decades that they are now prepared to seriously contemplate going it alone.

Korstiaan Allan, Whitingford, Edinburgh

Wake up, or bad dream will be real

AS someone who helped one of the unsuccessful parties in the Holyrood elections, I was disappointed by known party supporters' reluctance to work in support of the local candidate.

Since the elections these same people have been quick to moan and to express concern about the result and the future.

I therefore hope the outcome will be a wake-up call to these and others wishing to preserve the Union, especially the younger generation who are likely to lose most from Scotland's separation from the UK.

Unless they snap out of their disinclination to stand up and work with others for their beliefs, they will awake to find their nightmare has turned into reality - an independent Scotland and a weakened Union.

Tim Jackson, Whim Road, Gullane, East Lothian

Pavement idea is against the law

AS a visually impaired person I deplore the proposal by the city council to allow cyclists to use pavements (News, May 10).

Highway Code Rule 54 says "You must not cycle on the pavement". It also contravenes the Highways Act 1835 Sect 72 and the Roads (Scotland) Act Sect 129.

I suggest the council will have to ask Westminster and Holyrood to amend these acts before implementing another of its cock-eyed ideas.

Anne Dignan, Westbank Street, Edinburgh

Restrictions on taxis removed

I AM writing regarding the article "Driving through park is fare play again for taxis" (News, May 16).

When Historic Scotland was in the process of carrying out a review of its traffic regulations within Holyrood park, it was originally advised by the Procurator Fiscal that taxis were not permitted to drive through the park if they were empty or carrying advertising.

This advice has since been revised by the Procurator Fiscal and taxis are now permitted access to the park in those circumstances. The only restriction that remains is taxis must not display their 'For Hire' sign within the park.

Hearses are commercial vehicles and therefore require permission to use the park. However, any specific request from a funeral director or family to use the park as a funeral route would be viewed sympathetically by Historic Scotland.

Martin Gray, Royal Park Visitor Services Manager, Edinburgh