Letters - Revenge by the ballot too late to undo the deeds

Is the tram construction work more inconvenient than you thought it would be? Tell us what you think

YOUR correspondent Alastair Macintyre writes, "... all companies should be left to market forces" and that those businesses struggling during tram construction don't deserve a "handout" (Letters, July 16).

However, in the case of Leith Walk businesses, it's not market forces causing their problems – to the point of closure. It's a council policy that's ruining their trade.

Shouldn't the council responsible be held to account for this? Shouldn't we hold accountable those councillors, who knew beforehand the problems for businesses that would be caused by their decision to build the tram line, by surcharging them to make good the consequences of their actions?

Remember, councillors could have sought public approval for trams through a referendum, but chose not to.

They were aware of the controversy. They knew full well what they were doing.

And if, as Mr Macintyre says, market forces should apply to all businesses, why is there a restriction on taxi licences, which compete against the council's own business?

How can it be right and proper that only a council should have the power to restrict competition to the business it owns?

If we can learn anything from the council's transport policy, it's surely that councillors, "managed" by unelected officials, do what they like, when they like and to whomsoever they like. Although clearly responsible and culpable, as things stand, they are entirely unaccountable for their actions.

By the time the ballot box beckons for public "payback", the deed is done – it's too late.

Jim Taylor, The Murrays Brae, Edinburgh

Completion dates for trams a laugh

I HAVE to have a good long laugh when you print timescales for tram completion dates when they are given by TIE propagandists.

TIE do not answer to anyone, they are a law unto themselves. Try phoning them up to complain and you are either put on voicemail or, even worse, they just hang up on you.

My other pet hate is when people, each and every one entitled to their own opinion, write in spouting off that they support the tram when they themselves stay nowhere near the war zone . . . sorry, the proposed tram line.

They should try living in the area 24/7 like we have to and they would soon change their minds!

Come August it will be a whole year since I've had a dirty great big trench sitting outside my shop despite so-called promises by TIE. On completion dates have been broken by TIE. After all is said and done nobody wanted trams in the first place!

Ray Withey, Leith Walk, Edinburgh

Fuel price regulator must be next step

THE postponement of October's two pence rise in fuel duty is a clear example of what can be achieved when governments are threatened, as is currently the case with the Glasgow East by-election.

The next step must be the introduction of a fuel price regulator to help motorists cope with crippling fuel price rises, and action to combat soaring energy bills.

And with the London Treasury raking in £6 billion more this year than they projected from Scotland's oil, it is time for Scotland to get a fair share.

Alex Orr, Bryson Road, Edinburgh

Childcare costs an issue to settle now

ONE in four parents in poverty "can't afford to work" (Evening News, July 16).

Following the release of that information from Daycare Trust and Save the Children , One Parent Families Scotland, as both a childcare service provider and supporter of lone parents is deeply concerned by the findings.

We know that lone parents using our flexible childcare services may struggle to pay the costs of the service, yet we are required to increase costs above the rate of inflation because there is less grant funding available from Government or the Big Lottery for subsidising childcare.

The Working Tax Credit system may assist with childcare costs for those on low income. All parents in employment should check whether they are eligible for assistance with their childcare costs. When making their claim they should be taking into account the increased costs for holiday periods and if they only require care at this time claim for this period.

At a time when the UK Government is requiring all lone parents to become active job seekers when their youngest child is seven from 2010 as part of its drive to reduce child poverty, the lack of childcare and the costs of childcare is a critical barrier which will mean that lone parents in Scotland will struggle to find and maintain jobs which actually reduce their poverty.

If Scotland does not want to see its child poverty rates worsen relative to the rest of the UK, this is an issue which the Government nationally and locally urgently needs to address.

Sue Robertson, director, One Parent Families Scotland, Gayfield Square, Edinburgh

End this thumping din immediately

I AM getting absolutely fed up with local people, who are forever playing loud music from early morning until the wee small hours of the night on a regular basis, with the weekend being especially bad.

It is now time for substantial action to reduce this noise.

Will something definite be done now about this cacophony of loud music being thumped out?

Ruffus J K MacGregor, Pentland View, Edinburgh

Forth bridge work not a China crisis

I CAN'T see the problem of parts of the new Forth bridge being made in China (News, July 17).

The public purse is already paying out enough through trams and motorway extensions.

If the Chinese can deliver a cheaper quote, good on them.

Mr A Morris, St Leonard's Lane, Edinburgh