Letters: Let's bin recycling system and clean up city's streets

Too many waste collection workers are sent on different days of the month to pick up rubbish discarded in a rainbow of differently-coloured receptacles for different types of waste to be recycled.

Many people are still confused about which box or bin to put out on which date, and many more just don't bother.

I know such a suggestion will not go down well with the green brigade, but in times of austerity, cuts should be dictated by necessity rather than ideals.

And it would free up waste collection staff to return to a basic weekly collection of our rubbish

These green schemes were brought in during an era of prosperity when we could afford to spend time and money on such ideas.

I understand the ethos behind bringing these ideas into operation in the city.

But I think it's more important we concentrate on preserving Edinburgh as a beautiful environment in which to reside rather than making it a paradise for gulls, foxes and other vermin with the health and disease problems they can bring when waste is left unattended on our streets.

Ken Welsh, Easter Road, Edinburgh

Taxpayer left to pick up Papal bill

BY the time you read this the Pope will have been and gone and all that will be left is for the British taxpayer to pick up the tab for the Papal extravaganza.

The media were reckoning on the bill for this visit reaching 12 million pounds and that doesn't include the policing bill.

I am sure that like myself, the people of this nation must be wondering what the 12m was spent on and ultimately how much was spent on the policing.

I would also like to know who pockets all the entry fees for the masses and the like, which cost the faithful on average a reported 25 per head.

It seems to me that Lothian and Borders Police had been given carte blanche to do anything they liked with regard to this event.

I am also sure there are many like me who think that the policing of the visit has gone completely over the top.

The road closures were Draconian, with roads being closed at 6am when the pope was probably still in Rome.

The cancellation and re-routing of bus services in the city was also unnecessary. Gordon Brown has many things to answer for during his time as Chancellor and Prime Minister and his decision to persuade our Queen to take part in this jolly outing from the Vatican, stands up there as one of his poorest judgements.

Ronnie Arthur, Wisp Green, Edinburgh

Give us answers over gas repairs

FLASHING electronic signs proudly announce that Western Corner is yet again to be dug up by a gas company – this time a mere 20 weeks (almost half a year!) of inconvenience for all commuters.

How come miles of the M8 were recently dug up and resurfaced in 17 days and this 75-yard stretch requires 20 weeks of chaos?

Graeme Robertson, Belgrave Terrace, Edinburgh

Homes needed, not old Toryism

GEORGE Osborne wants to declare war on benefits and welfare.

Sounds just like the Tories back in the Eighties and Nineties – same old no-vision rhetoric, same old misinterpretation of the facts.

If the Coalition Government really want to grow the economy they should start by building the 250,000 new houses the UK needs for the hundreds of thousands who are on council waiting lists.

This would create many thousands of jobs to help folk get off welfare – but no, the Government prefers soundbites and hot air.

Trevor Swistchew, Victor Park Terrace, Edinburgh