Letters: Trams farce inquiry cannot be complete until project is

Otherwise, a public inquiry would be incomplete, and who wants to spend money on half a story for party political points scoring? Seems a half-thought stance from a “transport spokesman”.

Gordon Murdie, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh

Council intent on destroying beauty

I HAVE just seen the photograph of Princes Street with the ugly poles which have been erected in the central strip.

The cables that will be added will form a ceiling along the road blocking all views of the Castle and the Old Town ridge (I have witnessed this in Melbourne and other cities). It will make it all so claustrophobic.

Princes Street is a beautiful, unique street and should be pedestrianised to make it a lovely place to wander, take photographs, have picnics and maybe some do some shopping.

But no, this council seems to want to destroy the beauty of this street. And spend lots of money which could have been put to better use.

Words fail me.

Mrs M Quade, Fairmilehead, Edinburgh

Change of gear for bicycle use

I AM writing with reference to your article regarding cycling on Princes Street and specifically the arrangements for cyclists wishing to continue westbound through to Shandwick Place using the tram/bus lane (News, June 30).

It is true that cyclists will have to exercise great care at this junction and, as health and safety is our top priority, we produced in conjunction with the Bike Station a tramline cycle training video, available from the Edinburgh Trams website.

Edinburgh City Council is spending a record five per cent of the transport budget on cycling this year as part of the long-term vision of creating a modal shift in cycle use, and we look to cities such as Amsterdam for inspiration, where trams and cyclists co-exist without major problems.

Cllr Jim Orr, vice convener, transport, Edinburgh City Council

Poles apart for a different location

I READ with interest the article “‘Pole’ mast plan rejected” (News, July 2).

The article states plans for a 15-metre telecoms mast in the Grange have been turned down, a report by planning officials said the Vodafone and O2 mast would not fit with other street furniture.

I live in Baberton Mains View, the entrance to a lovely suburb on the outskirts of Edinburgh. There are only six houses on this leafy, quiet street. In 2010 the residents were advised in writing that a telecoms mast would be erected next to my house.

Myself, my family and all our neighbours put our objections to this proposal in writing and what do you think happened?

Our objections were over-ruled, Vodafone and O2 were granted permission to go ahead and immediately this huge, ugly telecoms mast was erected in our lovely street.

I would like a planning official to explain the difference between our street and the Grange.

Shirley Sinclair, Baberton Mains View, Edinburgh

Independence is the only answer

CHAS Dennis asks why Scotland needs to be independent (Letters, July 2).

We are fed up with the way successive London governments have wasted billions on Trident, privatised the NHS, imposed fees on students and attacked benefits while being incapable of controlling the bankers.

That is why many Labour supporters are backing the “Yes” campaign.

Meanwhile, the man in charge during the banking scandal, Alistair Darling, is being funded from London to front the “No” campaign.

Political independence from London is the only way we will see a Scandinavian-style social democratic nation in my lifetime.

Mary Thomas, Watson Crescent, Edinburgh