Letters: Owner barking up wrong tree looking for cash back

In my view, Tim Cowen of NSL has nothing to apologise for. Alison Vance freely admits to parking illegally and the fact that she was late meeting a client is entirely her fault.

The dog was back with her after an hour-and-a-half and she claims the dog was stressed, unhappy and off her food. I suspect the dog is no more off her food than I am. What nonsense.

This lady got what she deserved and probably got off lightly.

To suggest that the fine should be returned as compensation is ludicrous. She wants compensation for stupidity?

Don't be silly and we can only hope you have learned a lesson by the experience.

Allan Stewart, Moredun Park Drive, Edinburgh

Faith group grant should be axed

Saturday's Evening News reports that the Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association may not receive a 12,000 grant from the council. But council papers indicate that it has requested 91,051 for next year.

The council would be well advised not to subsidise the activities of this body with council tax funds. Religions go to great lengths to separate themselves from one another with their different beliefs and practices.

If they want to talk to one another, all to the good, but this is no reason for the public, about one-third of whom are not religious, to subsidise the conversations.

Norman Bonney, convener, Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy Secular Society,

Palmerston Place, Edinburgh

Trams blame is way off track

JOHN Carson (Interactive, February 5) is clutching at straws when he tries to blame Transport Scotland and the SNP for the trams debacle.

Transport Scotland may hold the purse strings but if presented with requests for funding by TIE, backed up by completion certificates, it has no option but to pay up or face legal challenges.

The main problem was the flawed business case which, as presented by the then Labour council, was based on congestion charging revenues, the Leith waterfront development and substantial financial contributions from traders on the tram route, none of which came to pass.

This was predicted by the SNP in the Scottish Parliament but they were outvoted for narrow political reasons by the combined Labour, Tory and Lib Dem opposition who forced through the tram project against their better judgement.

Janice Thompson, Walter Scott Avenue, Edinburgh

Clearing the air in smoking ban row

I REFER to the article "Patients fume over fags ban" (News, February 3) and would like to correct inaccurate information which appeared.

The article states that "As recently as 12 months ago, cigarettes were successfully used as incentives to patients for tasks and co-operation".

This statement is inaccurate and such a scheme is not used within the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Patients choose whether to smoke or not and are able to purchase their own cigarettes.

I would also like to clarify that there are three smoking shelters within the grounds, not two as mentioned in the article.

It is important in the interests of fairness and equality that our smoking cessation policy is consistent across all our hospitals.

Tim Montgomery, director of operations, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services

Experience is key to road safety

I refer to the article regarding the 20mph pilot scheme (News, February 2). Out of a population of some 750,000, 17,800 leaflets does not form the majority.

The answer to road safety is training, practice and experience.

CJR Fentiman, Polwarth Gardens, Edinburgh