Letters: Weather damage fund is the answer to seasonal problem

The thought of the strength of the waves which caused such damage is very sobering, as is the cost to repair the damage.

Only three months ago the city suffered an extreme cold snap and the Evening News reported that the cost of repairing our damaged roads and pavements after that was several million pounds.

Perhaps the Scottish Government should have some sort of contingency fund to deal with such acts of God. After all, Scotland is a cold country, we expect to have freezing weather in winter and therefore potholes in our roads are an annual occurrence. As a coastal town, Edinburgh is vulnerable to crashing waves destroying its harbours and properties which are situated by the sea.

As we all know, this country is in an economic mess, with barely enough funds to keep us going under normal circumstances. If the government doesn't make provision for the weather in Scotland, then each time we experience such brutal conditions as in the last few months, the emergency repairs will eat into our already dwindling resources.

I call on Alex Salmond to create some sort of financial pot to cover such adverse natural conditions so that the rest of the taxpayers' money can go towards the every day essentials that we need to keep our country running smoothly.

G Anderson, Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Thank you for a great clean-up

A GREAT big thank you to all council employees who worked so hard over the Easter weekend to clear up the devastation on Portobello Promenade caused by the recent bad weather.

We had a walk on Saturday and saw the mess left behind, by Sunday the huge effort had made a marked difference and local people and visitors could enjoy the holiday.

Well done, thanks again.

C Collins, Edinburgh

Rickshaw accident was inevitable

IT WAS only a matter of time before someone was killed or seriously injured whilst travelling in one of the rickshaws.

There is no place for them on Edinburgh's streets, especially at night when we have so many drunk people riding in them. They jump out when going uphill and push the thing, kick out at cars trying to pass and shout at passersby.

I was coming to the junction of King Stables Road and Grassmarket one night when a rickshaw came straight on to the road from the pedestrian zone without stopping. The three women in it were very lucky to escape without serious injury, their screams said it all. Totally irresponsible by the driver. Why does it take a tragedy like the one on Lothian Road to bring the authorities to their senses?

Tom McKearney, Kirkliston

Walking three miles to school is unsafe

HOW could anyone with an ounce of sense like to see children walking three miles to school? Maybe they did it in the "good old days" when there was not so much traffic or weirdos on the streets.

And as for benefits, Mum gets them to help the family survive, not to spend 8 a week for buses.

No child would be safe walking the streets in the dark of winter. Whoever thought this would save money at the risk of children's safety needs to take a hard look at themselves.

The council is doing it because of overspending on the trams. Well find another way to save.

A Forrest, Bellevue Road, Edinburgh

Greens have chance to make their mark

IN HIS review of the election battlegrounds in Edinburgh I am surprised Ian Swanson made no mention of the Green campaign.

Last June, in the European elections, the Greens came third in Edinburgh East, well ahead of the Tories and Lib Dems. This year, with Robin Harper standing in the seat, there is every chance of a seismic upset to the Westminster establishment.

Surely that prospect is worth a mention.

Gavin Corbett, Briarbank Terrace, Edinburgh