Letters: Don't sink chance for Leith to continue as a working port

OUR local representatives have a duty to ensure that health and safety issues are properly addressed.

However, in Monday's Evening News, the level of negativity by council leader, Jenny Dawe, regarding the proposed biomass power plant at the docks, beggars belief.

The "green lobby" is relentless in its efforts to close the Port of Leith and chase out all the industrial work, but I do expect more from Edinburgh City Council. It must be the only authority in the UK that does not welcome new jobs that will bring people and spending power into an area.

Leith is currently playing a major role in the development of wave-power technology, and is earmarked for a role in wind-power activities in the Forth. There is a chance for the city to become a big player in this connection and instead of hostility, our councillors should welcome these proposals, make them work, and ensure that Leith remains a working port with jobs and opportunities for the future. The alternative appears to be 15,000 flats, associated traffic, and a Ferris wheel.

David Speed, Stair Park, Edinburgh

It's about time TIE was undone

THE main purpose of TIE was never the delivery of the tram project but rather a way of insulating not only councillors but council staff from the project ever going pear-shaped.

Nevertheless the TIE board has been packed with councillors through the years and these councillors and council staff have always been kept fully informed of the tram project's real status. TIE has been conveniently used as the whipping post for all negative commentary both from councillors and the general public.

But how could no-one ask the author Ian Rankin if his face could be used on the tram livery? How incompetent is that? With chief executive Tom Aitchison and other senior council directors retiring I suggest that TIE be "retired" as well. It is time that councillors disband TIE and pass this project to the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Parliament approved this project and the Scottish Government should be forced to decide whether to stop the project or increase the funding that will be needed to complete it within a reasonable period.

Graham Ramsay, Vientiane, Laos, SE Asia

Crucial site doesn't need abomination

I HOPE that Bruce R Borthwick (Interactive, 23 March) is careful what he wishes for, in rushing to damn the new Anta design for the Caltongate development – lest his wishes come true. The real abomination – the concrete and glass, monolithic blocks of the original Caltongate "Legoland" – is still waiting in the wings with full planning approval. We must concentrate on kicking the original Caltongate into touch before taking sides over alternatives.

The Caltongate site is far too important – holding the line between the Old and New Towns – for decisions on its future to be left to a council and parliament which bend the knee and tug the forelock whenever a millionaire (on paper) heaves into sight.

The site demands a proper national design competition, and that is what we should still be fighting for... and regardless of the wails of the accountants and lawyers, preference and weighting should be given to a development designed by Edinburgh companies, built by Edinburgh companies, approved, occupied and used by the people of Edinburgh to the general benefit of Edinburgh.

If the same principles had been attached to the tram project the trams would be running by now.

Don't discard the Anta proposal out of hand – the only other thing on offer for the site at present is uncannily like another St James' Centre! You wouldn't want that now, would you?

David Fiddimore, Nether Craigwell, Calton Road, Edinburgh

Dismissed bin man says thank-you

CAN I use your letter page to express my thanks for all the support I have received of these last few weeks. It has been of great support to both my wife and me to see freedom of speech is alive and well with the public of Edinburgh, if not with its ruling council.

The dispute itself is not the issue here, the issue is the rights of the workforce to have their say.

Paul French, Saughton Mains Street, Stenhouse

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