Letters: Trams are triumph of optimism over common sense

And, isn't citing Nottingham and Dublin's tram experience as an alleged success somewhat spurious to Edinburgh's circumstances?

Our tram line is going to cost at least 600 million, and that's before the expected cost overrun. What appetite will taxpayers have to fund any extension of the system at such huge cost? Or will the council just ignore taxpayers' wishes again and "railroad" the expansion through?

With only three tram stops in Leith Walk and only one in Princes Street, how can the tram possibly provide the same customer convenience as the 17 buses it is replacing? In short, it can't.

Trams are inflexible to use and expensive to build. To record an operating profit, fares will have to be priced accordingly. However, such a price point will render them uncompetitive with bus services.

Bus fares will therefore have to be raised to match the fare structure required by the tram's business plan. Tram expansion will simply feed the need for higher bus fares. We've already seen this process begun.

Edinburgh used to have the award winning "Britain's best bus company". Services were modern, readily available, convenient and cost effective.

Isn't what George Ritchie is proposing a more rigid, less available, less convenient and considerably more expensive public transport in Edinburgh?

Jim Taylor, The Murrays Brae, Edinburgh

Helicopters before Tornados, please

I HAVE always loved the sight and sound of aircraft – and admired the RAF pilots, navs and weapons operators who fly them – but can someone clever please explain to me why we can afford to risk the life of a pilot, and the cost of flying an RAF Tornado low level across Edinburgh at 9pm each night for the entertainment of tourists watching the Tattoo, but apparently can't afford one more helicopter to support our servicemen in Afghanistan?

David Fiddimore, Calton Road, Edinburgh

No remorse over city's 'vandalism'

WHILE one cannot condone any acts of mindless hooliganism and/or violence, I read with a touch of irony the articles relating to the vandalism encountered at Currie cemetery (News, 10 and 12 August).

Edinburgh City Council has been knocking gravestones and memorials over for years in the name of "health and safety". There is no difference from what these hooligans have done in Currie, to what the city has been doing all over Edinburgh for years – and with no remorse either.

At least on this occasion Scotmid have come to the rescue by helping restoring the headstones. Well done to Scotmid!

Kenneth S Deed, Midlothian

NHS will provide required services

WITH reference to the article "NHS chiefs' latest disability strategy is ideal – for 1980s" which appeared in the Evening News on 31 July, I would like to clarify a few points in relation to the Lothian Joint Physical and Complex Disability Strategy.

Your report is correct that some data used in the strategy was taken from the1984 Office for Population and Census Survey.

It was, at the time of the development of the strategy, the latest available report giving a full analysis of the different levels of severity of disability in the UK.

In addition, we did also use more recent data, including the Scottish Household Survey 2001 and 2002.

Importantly, we have engaged with people who are passionate about this issue and we have taken time to listen carefully to what people told us they wanted to see from modern health and social care services.

The strategy was developed in full partnership with disabled people themselves and their carers as well as colleagues from a variety of charities and voluntary organisations.

Your readers can be assured that we will continue to update data and ensure we provide the services people want.

Jackie Sansbury, director of strategic planning and modernisation, NHS Lothian

Councillors have no business here

IT is very obvious that councillors have never encountered the problems of running a business.

Their decision to order the removal of sandwich boards (News, 28 July) to try to attract business is quite pathetic and councillors have no common sense in the circumstances.

H Brown, Carrick Knowe avenue, Edinburgh

Compassion shown to a total stranger

ON Sunday around noon I had an accident at Craighall village when I came off my bicycle while travelling at some speed. I was dazed, a bit cut up and bruised and bleeding.

Three kind people were there before I could get up – two men, one of whom was the village shopkeeper, and a lady.

The lady produced antiseptic wipes, paper towels, drinking water and plasters. She had stopped her car to clean me up and see me on my way.

I was quite amazed at such care and compassion for a stranger.

Thank you and God bless.

E Mangan, Goosegreen Road, Musselburgh