Letters: Zoo needs land swap deal in order to move forward

I WELCOME the enlightened comments made in your editorial (Evening News, July 23) in relation to the much needed plans for Edinburgh Zoo that will make it a world-class attraction and continue as an asset for the Capital.

Our plans do mean change, changes that will enable the zoo to put in place the foundations to meet health and safety and disability discrimination requirements, as well as meet the expectations of our visitors that will retain the zoo as one of Scotland's top visitor attractions.

We have explored other options within the zoo boundaries to address these requirements but these are prohibited cost-wise or on a practical level.

We are genuine in our desire to involve and be an integral part of the local community and have always been open with community groups about our aspirations.

While I understand the concerns they have shared with us, we have committed to give greater land area in return (37 per cent more) and will provide on-going support to enhance Corstorphine Hill.

What we need now is for the facts to speak for themselves and for our proposals to be given fair consideration by the council.

David Windmill, Chief Executive, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo

Change criteria for blue badges

AM I the only person in Edinburgh that is sick to the back teeth with seeing a motorist park in a space with a disabled blue badge on their car, then jump out and walk briskly up the road?

I thought that blue stickers were issued because someone was unable to walk, not being able to walk up the road and abuse the system.

Why not change the criteria for obtaining blue badges to wheelchair users, or adjusted cars to enable a disabled person to be able to drive.

If a person can drive a full manual car without the aid of it being adjusted they should be deemed to be fit to drive as most wheelchair users will have automatic or hand adjusted gear controls to suit their needs.

Fair enough, disabled people can have a driver for their car, but the rules are that the disabled person should be with them when the badge is used.

Ivor Birnie, Gentle's Entry Edinburgh

NHS numbers are easy to come by

I AM writing in response to Alan Boyter's letter (Interactive, July 20) regarding the number of heavily pregnant women turned away from the Simpsons.

Mr Boyter claims that NHS Lothian does not hold the information you requested. This information, however, could easily be obtained by contacting St John's Hospital.

Staff in the labour ward mark "NRIE" in the birth register against every woman who is diverted to and delivers at St John's when the Simpsons is closed.

They also keep a diary detailing when the Simpsons goes onto divert and for how long.

This diary keeps details of women triaged at St John's even if they are then sent home if not actually in labour.

I don't think it would be that difficult to count up the number of women seen over a year!

As the Simpsons goes onto divert more and more frequently now, maybe NHS Lothian is reluctant to release the information as it would be an admission of the poor state of maternity services.

NHS Lothian midwife

Taxman has some catching up to do

BRIAN Monteith points out that world record holding athlete Usain Bolt will be sprinting right by the Athletics Grand Prix in London (News, July 22).

The big Jamaican is, it seems, giving London the swerve because he doesn't fancy the idea that half of his earnings for sponsorship, endorsement and marketing are liable to be taxed if he gets on his marks there.

That's a pity, as I relished the vision of Usain running his race then striding away with the gold while a red-faced, podgy, middle-aged taxman wearing pinstripes vainly tries to follow in his footsteps.

Pam Tandas, Easter Road, Edinburgh