Letters: Problems won't be over once the trams are up and running

HAVING been involved in both the construction and health and safety aspects of big buildings over many years, perhaps I may be allowed to comment on your article "Want to wash the windows? Better ask the tram bosses" (News, 4 March).

When the tram mock-up was first displayed in Princes Street Gardens, I asked what proposals there were to deal with scaffolding, long pole window cleaning, demolitions, new construction and fires in buildings along the line of the route. I was promised a reply. I am still waiting for it.

Like many citizens who see little benefit to the city beyond the narrow corridor from Granton to the airport, I do wonder whether TIE has any idea how to manage such a predictably complex project. While the PR spokesperson will no doubt once again compliment Edinburgh's fuming citizens on their patience and understanding as the project misses yet another deadline, we should be under no illusion that once the trams are up and running that the problems will all be behind us.

Your article makes it clear that when completed there will be constraints on everyday activities – with more "health and safety" restrictions added to the bureaucratic heap. At that stage, no doubt TIE will be wound up and it will be someone else's headache to sort out. That's progress.

Archie Clark, Currie

Long and winding road to solution

I APPRECIATE the difficulties of local authority members elected to the council and in particular those on the transport committee.

Of course, TIE has good arguments for the sort of traffic flows it envisages. Back in 1967-74, I represented the old central St Andrew's ward. Then, it was the Inner Ring Road, which of course was never constructed. People saw the potential damage before the destruction started.

It is the same now with some TIE proposals. Because, apparently, a roundabout cannot cope with a two-way tram up and down Leith Walk, we are told (no consultation before the decision) that a right turn access – into Blenheim Place – to serve Regent, Royal and Carlton terraces from the north central area, must be closed.

But, as 40 years ago, the engineers have to give in when their schemes are unreasonable, and destructive of the very housing viability (and commercial enterprises) they, like us all, wish to see in the centre of cities.

The Keep Blenheim Place Open steering group is confident it can find a solution to the old and well-understood traffic patterns in London Road, taking into account the required road widths and the preferred wishes of local vehicle drivers and pedestrians.

Ronald R Duff, Regent Terrace, Edinburgh

Poll 'poison' helps keep Rust away

IT WAS no surprise to see that Edinburgh Conservatives had previously benefited from Lord Ashcroft's funds (Lord Ashcroft paid for Tory bid to unseat Alistair Darling, News, 3 March). Everybody knows that Lord Ashcroft has been pouring money into marginal seats in an attempt to buy a Tory victory for years.

What is surprising to me, however, is Tory candidate Jason Rust's forthright denial that no funds have been received this time round. His "categoric assurance" that he has received no money from Lord Ashcroft or his companies tells its own story. The Belize-based billionaire is electoral poison, and Councillor Rust knows it!

Peter L Barker, Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh

How about strip search for MPs?

I NOTE with interest the Government's introduction of "digital strip search" machines at two British airports with no alternative for those who object to being seen in the nude, such as the two modest young women recently prevented from boarding a flight at Manchester.

Perhaps an additional trial should be conducted at a particular London building?

There is a well-known case of a terrorist successfully entering this building with a substantial quantity of explosives, and the plot to destroy it was only foiled thanks to an observant member of staff.

The machines should be placed at the entrance to this building immediately and everyone entering should be scanned, including all the MPs who work there. It's for their own security.

Ina Alexandra Douglas (Mrs), Spey Terrace, Edinburgh

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