Letters: Search for tram answers must focus on right places

However, it does have a busway which is very similar to the one that used to be operated between Carrick Knowe footbridge and South Gyle access in Edinburgh.

This one was closed and is now being converted for tram use. Nevertheless, I cannot understand the necessity for the councillors and officials to visit a busway which will have no relevance nor any operational similarity to a tramway.

Perhaps the councillors and officials should forget about Luton and go a little further south to Croydon, which has an excellent tram network which has recently increased its fleet of trams with the addition of some new trams diverted from an order that was for Bergen in Norway.

In the meantime I would certainly recommend visits to Dublin, Manchester and Nottingham whose tram systems are now being extended. And Blackpool has a reburbished tramway with a new fleet.

Duncan Anderson, St Albans Road, Edinburgh

Breaking greatest union is a fantasy

I SEE that Alex Orr (letters, February 26) feels that there will be a ‘torpedo’ effect on the No campaign as a result of the UK losing its triple-A credit rating. Really?

Is this the same person who seeks independence for Scotland yet supports retaining the pound and accepting that, in the unlikely event of a Yes vote, would welcome Scotland’s economy controlled by the Bank of England?

Scotland as an independent nation could only obtain a AAA credit rating if it were to join the eurozone (if accepted into the EU, of course) or by adopting our own currency.

Why doesn’t the SNP want this? What is independent about keeping the pound with no jurisdiction over interest rates?

Furthermore, does Mr Orr think that all oil revenues will come Scotland’s way under independence?

Maybe he should consider the investment of the UK government over the years into North Sea oil and accept what the reality will be.

The facts are simple. The Nationalists never expected to be in this position and now that they are, they are hopelessly out of their depth. They cant even give us a date for the referendum despite shouting about independence for decades.

If the referendum ever does take place, it will certainly result in the nadir of the SNP and hopefully the departure of Salmond, Sturgeon and co, who after six years of governing a devolved Scotland have achieved nothing other than fantasise about breaking up the greatest union ever.

James Anderson, Lady Nairne Place, Edinburgh

Plan is needed for vote outcome

Glasgow is being urged to plan ahead for a possible Yes vote in next year’s independence referendum so that the city could capitalise on any benefits, including the thousands of jobs which could be created by new government departments.

This prompts me to ask what steps Edinburgh City Council are taking to encourage its citizens to vote Yes to ensure that Edinburgh doesn’t missed out on the thousands of new jobs that a Yes vote will bring to our capital city?

Janice Thompson, Walter Scott Avenue, Edinburgh

What will happen if Scots say no?

I HAVE written to David Cameron three times in the last four months to ask what powers his government will devolve to Scotland if the country says no to independence.

To date I have had no reply. This would suggest that if Scotland says no nothing at all will change and it will be “business as usual”.

That approach will not address Scottish issues and nor will it satisfy the people and politicians within Scotland who want to see progress on housing, tax, welfare, wages, transport, social work, education and crime.

The issue of overspending on projects such as the Edinburgh tram line should also be addressed.

Where then for Scotland if we say no?

Trevor Swistchew, Victor Park Terrace, Edinburgh