Letters: Council must insist on tram contribution from developers

In addition, developers have used the proximity of the tram as a reason to justify the elimination of almost all associated parking and, in some cases, have replaced this with extra hotel bedrooms and office/retail space. We have no objection to developers making additional profits, but this should not be at the expense of local people.

The council's waiving or reducing of tram contributions translates savings for private developers into more costs for Edinburgh council tax payers. In addition, the public realm on Leith Walk is in a particularly deplorable condition, mainly because of the prolonged tram works. Every penny will be needed to bring this up to a standard that both those of us who live in the area and visitors who will stay in these hotels would expect to find.

Reducing the tram contribution for some developers has simply created precedents. For example, one developer cites the reduction of the tram contribution for hotel developments elsewhere in the city as a reason for requesting a zero contribution, going on to claim that "given the present economic reality it is simply not viable to make major contributions". Since the developer in question bought the site during the credit crunch, his offer must have allowed for the tram contribution, reflecting market conditions at the time.

The council should adopt a robust negotiating stance regarding tram contributions when granting planning permission for developments which are being built only because they are advantaged by the proximity of the tram line.

Roland Reid, secretary, Leith Central Community Council, Edinburgh

Badge charge is a way to raise funds

IN REPLY to Ms Duncan's letter (29 April) saying she would willingly pay 100 to stop the misuse of disabled parking badges, I think the public are being misled by this charge. It's nothing to do with the city council trying to combat the misusers (even a 100 charge would not put these people off), it's the council who have run out of money due to bad housekeeping, then gunning after disabled members of the public to make up the difference.

I am in correspondence with a legal advisor in disability rights as the council did not consult anyone with this proposal and I am sure this must be unlawful.

I will be paying the 20 on behalf of my son because I have no choice, although we were not even given the courtesy of being assessed to see what our financial status was. Many of us are paying over 50 an hour for care during the night for our sons and daughters to allow us to sleep and from 71 per week care allowance it doesn't go far.

Shame on you Edinburgh council and the Scottish Government for sanctioning this.

Mrs G Riva, Barntongate Avenue, Edinburgh

Reality of Lib Dems known in Capital

PEOPLE in Edinburgh are unlikely to be fooled by "that nice Mr Clegg off the TV". After all, they see at first hand the reality of a Lib Dem-led council on their doorsteps: school closures; community centres axed; crass mis-handling of care contracts for vulnerable people. The list goes on.

Nick Clegg may be exploiting, for now, the fact he is a fresh face. But the Lib Dems locally are far from being an unknown quantity and anything but fresh.

Brian Robertson, Briarbank Terrace, Edinburgh

Rail ticket change unfair to elderly

IT IS reported (News, 24 April) that the Lib Dem/SNP Edinburgh council is withdrawing the senior citizen 50p concession rail fare for Edinburgh folk. As usual it's the infirm and elderly that they target. Trains have toilets. Buses do not.

Colin C Maclean, Hillpark Avenue, Edinburgh