Letters: Soulless shopping in store for city if action is not taken

Is it any wonder that each week seems to bring another boarded-up shop in the city centre? When large supermarkets are allowed to continue expanding without any regulation, local shops such as Crolla's gradually disappear, leaving only charity shops and bookmakers.

This has already happened in towns and cities throughout the UK. If Edinburgh wants to keep its mixture of local and family owned shops, its time for our councillors to take action before we find ourselves living in a giant soulless "Tescoburgh".

Gavin Fleming, Webster's Land, Edinburgh

Chance for SNP to steer clear of spin

I FAIL to understand the stramash the SNP is trying to generate about their exclusion from the TV debates between the leaders of the parties at the next election for the Westminster Government. What they are, in effect, asking for, is exactly the same opportunity to spin, lie and deceive as Brown, Cameron and Clegg. Not one sane person in 100 will expect to hear clarity, sincerity or the truth from them . . . just false promises, lip sync and pipe dreams.

I hope the SNP can plot a course clear of these degrading spectacles, develop their own distinct forums – unhindered by the corrupt baggage of Westminster – and appeal directly to the only people who matter; who just happen to be the folk you see around you in the street today.

David Fiddimore, Calton Road, Edinburgh

Cap should have been put on rates

GIVEN that the Bank of England has cut interest rates to 0.5 per cent, one might imagine that our bailed-out banks would have passed on this change in interest rates to their customers. They certainly have in respect of savings accounts.

Most people will have found that their interest rates in that respect have been drastically cut. On mortgages they have reduced slightly, but not by much. It also still costs a fortune to arrange a fixed rate mortgage.

Meanwhile the interest rates on loans, credit cards and overdrafts remain extortionately high. The average yearly rate for a credit card is currently 18.8 per cent. Why? If the base rate is reduced then that reduction should have been passed on throughout the banking system. That way borrowers could afford to spend more, boosting the economy and ending the economic depression.

The Government should have forced a wholesale reduction in interest rates at the point they offered taxpayers' money to prop up the financial system.

They could still do so for the semi-nationalised banks today.

Joe Middleton, Wardieburn Place South, Edinburgh

Mind the gap when boarding trams

I REFER to DW Swanston's letter about boarding the trams (Interactive, 9 March). My "fag packet" says Joe Public will have no problem negotiating the bus lanes. The bus fares will have to rise so high to pay for the trams that no-one will use the buses so the transport authority, whatever it is called, will have to cancel so many buses that there will be plenty of gaps to get to the centre of the road!

JB Collie, Drum Brae Park

Disgusting mess created by children

I PAID a visit to my dentist in Bruntsfield Place and I was horrified at the extent of the litter strewn on both sides of the road.

The blame must rest with the children from the school nearby. There were bakery bags, drinks cans, food containers, partly eaten food and other debris. The entire scene was utterly disgusting.

I have travelled widely in the world but I have never witnessed anything quite so appalling as Bruntsfield Place. When schools are on holiday it is well kept and is a neat and tidy area.

Shame on our schoolchildren, especially as there are numerous rubbish bins in the immediate area. Where are the litter wardens?

Charles Quinn, Belhaven Terrace, Morningside, Edinburgh

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