Trying to recycle a tricycle could put you in a spin

Do you think council workers get in the way with their silly rules, or are they just doing their jobs? Tell us

AS a good citizen I make it my policy to always recycle. Last week I loaded my car with disposable refuse and made my way to Seafield tip. Two of my children accompanied me.

I used several skips and while unloading cardboard into the cardboard tip I noticed two small plastic tricycles suitable for a two-year-old – they were obviously in the wrong tip.

As I have a young nephew and the tricycles were in a very good condition, I retrieved one and put it in my car. I thought to myself my nephew would have great enjoyment out of this.

To my disbelief one of the workers came over and told me to return it, as it was the council's policy that nothing could be removed from the tip. I was told cameras were everywhere and I could get caught "stealing from the council". As I didn't want any trouble I returned the tricycle back into the skip. It seemed crazy when I knew of a wee boy who would of had great pleasure in playing with it. Surely it made sense to do this?

I telephoned the council on my return and was told that this was their policy.

I am no cheapskate but feel strongly that when something can be reused, reuse it. I feel this policy could be put to better use and suggest a donation could be made and given to a charity of someone removes something that no-one else wants. Our landfills are full, surely this would help a little. I have even bought a compost bin as I feel we must all do our bit to help. This to me just seems so crazy.

Dawn Burton, Ulster Gardens, Edinburgh

Where to now for diverted drivers?

A SIGN at the Milton Road roundabout warns of major roadworks at the King's Road junction and implores drivers to seek an alternative route.

Given the ongoing roadworks at Fort Kinnaird, Sheriffhall and Milton Road, all presumably scheduled by qualified experts, could they perhaps advise which route drivers should now use?

Ian L M Walker, Abbey Toll Cottage, Haddington

Throwaway society can provide a use

I READ your story about the archaeological dig at the original Lochrin Basin on the Union Canal (News, July 3).

I'm sure the excavation will unearth fascinating finds from the days when the canal was a vital part of the transport network.

But I reckon it will be very hard work. So, why not round up neds and flytippers who think nothing of depositing their junk in our existing waterways, and get them to clear the way for the experts.

G Barker, Easter Road, Edinburgh

Let's make world of work work out

YOU reported (News, July 2) that a single person needs £13,000 per annum before tax to afford a basic standard of living. If this is the basic level of income, under the current Government such a person will pay £2300 in tax and national insurance leaving that person with £10,700 to spend.

Looking at things another way, someone on the minimum wage and working 40 hours a week earns just under £12,000 will pay £2000 a year in tax and National Insurance.

Gordon Brown and the Labour Government have made much noise about lifting people out of poverty yet they tax the person on the minimum wage £2000 a year!

Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling say that there are all manner of tax credits available. Yes, but why take money away from people and then ask them to apply for some of it back? This only encourages a cycle of dependency that the Labour party are happy to perpetuate.



Think of the administrative cost of all this. No wonder we have such high public spending.



Would it not be better simply to raise the tax allowance to £10,000 per annum and do away with the tax credits? Leave people with their own money, it's cheaper and works better. It makes work work. No-one should be working full time and be in poverty.



Stewart Geddes, Parliamentary Candidate for Edinburgh West, Scottish Conservatives, Quality Street Lane, Edinburgh

Helping make an impact on disease

I WAS deeply saddened to read your article on June 30 about 54-year-old Hyacinth Brown, who died from meningococcal meningitis earlier this year. I lost my son Spencer to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia some time ago and can well imagine the pain that all those who knew Hyacinth are suffering.

Here at Meningitis UK we sadly know only too well how devastating the disease can be and how quickly it can strike. Sadly the disease can often be incredibly difficult to detect as the symptoms are hard to distinguish from the common cold or flu, plus there are occasions when people show no or very few symptoms.

For all these reasons, we believe prevention is the only way to truly eradicate the disease, and developing a preventative vaccine to protect against all forms of meningitis and its associated diseases is our sole focus at Meningitis UK.

Last year we launched our Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to raise £7 million to fund lifesaving research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B, the most common form of meningitis in the UK for which there is no vaccine. We receive no government funding and are reliant on the general public to help in our fight against the disease and to raise money to put a stop to the heartache and suffering it causes.

Great advances have been made in the last 20 years and our scientists believe that a vaccine can be found within the next few years if we can raise £7m to support the breakthroughs being made.

In the absence of a vaccine to protect against all strains, we also distribute a wide range of material to raise awareness of the common symptoms and need to act quickly, which can mean the difference between life and death.

To find out more about supporting our Search for a Vaccine Campaign, readers can call Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org



Steve Dayman, chief executive, Meningitis UK, Cleeve Wood Road, Downend, Bristol