Letters: Forced out of my home by noisy, selfish neighbours

I MOVED to my ground-floor flat last year for health reasons. The flat above is a private let which is rented out to east Europeans. The noise of these people is unbelievable – it's like a community centre. They use a hammer and play bowls on the wooden floor all day.

I don't know how many live there. They come at all times of the day and night, drinking and urinating in front of my window. A police officer told me it is their culture to urinate in the streets. Well, it's not mine. Why should they be allowed to do it?

I went to the door to complain about it and the noise and my life has been complete hell.

I've been to the police, the council and my MP. All the council wants is diaries filled in, but when I was given a rapid response number to phone they came two hours after the incident happened.

Then when they do arrive at 3am when I've been wakened from my sleep, they say the noise is not loud enough, so why do we have these health and safety teams?

It's not working as they are limited as to what they can do, as is the case with the police.

The tenant before me complained and in the end had to move out.

I don't want to move but I am being forced to because of these selfish, arrogant people.

Margaret Taylor, Leith

What's the point of these snoopers?

OUR block of flats did not have the refuse picked up last Monday, with it being left to lie outside until it was lifted on Thursday. There was no indication from the refuse department that this was to be the case.

To compound this nonsense we all received letters from so called "environmental wardens" about our "refuse presentation" with dire warnings about contravening the Environment Protection Act 1990.

Perhaps the person who sent this letter could respond to a couple of simple questions.

Why are the people in our street being actively discriminated against by the non-provision of communal bins that almost every other block of flats has?

How much does it cost the taxpayer for these environmental wardens, and do they do anything positive?

I can only hope that such wasting snoopers are included in the government cuts that are about to take place.

Graeme Robertson, Belgrave Terrace, Edinburgh

Remember that drivers have vote

YOUR article about the council introducing clamping for cars whose owners refuse to pay rip-off fines for parking in the dictatorial city of Edinburgh does not surprise me (News, 24 May).

The clones of Labour who run this city are no better than the last lot as far as the motorist is concerned.

Remember we still have a vote, and a good percentage of voters are motorists, and the rulers will be out of power come the next election.

V Radzynski, Colinton Mains Drive, Edinburgh

Glimpse of sea life would be reward

MARINE charity Sea Watch is looking for nature lovers and yachtsmen and women to take part in this summer's national whale and dolphin watch (News, 24 May).

It would be most rewarding to catch a glimpse of harbour porpoise, minke whales and bottlenose dolphins, which are regular visitors at North Berwick and Fife.

I hope many will take part to see these delightful sea creatures.

Mrs June Fleming, Hercus Loan, Musselburgh

Kindness and care at hospital unit

I HAVE just been discharged after a month in wards three and five of the rehabilitation unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

In that time I have learnt how wonderful human nature can be.

The nurses were splendid, kind, cheerful and meticulous in their work, which meant many blood tests and changes to medicine doses.

The rehabilitation unit is the place with the most humour and kindness, and Edinburgh must keep it.

Duncan Aitchison, Edinburgh