Come on, give us a chair in the revamped Square

LAST week I had a look at St Andrew Square, which has been opened up to the public as a park.

Am I the only person to notice that it has no seats in it for the public to sit on?

There's a wall running along both sides of it and the public have to sit on these if they can, rather than sitting on some of the benches that have been presented to our city as memorials.

It was stated that our city paid £2.6 million for these gardens to be opened up to the public, and that this is the first time in nearly 238 years that people have been allowed to walk through them.

I think that the money that was spent on them was far too much for what the people of Edinburgh are getting.

I may have had a look at them at the wrong time, but all I could see were people using them as a short cut to get from one side to the other side of St Andrew Square. And that to me is a very expensive short cut.
Andrew Murphy, Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Let's remember our fallen heroes
CONGRATULATIONS to Edinburgh City Council on unveiling their plans to build a memorial to the city's fallen war heroes, (Evening News, October 10 ). The campaign by councillors Gordon Buchan and Ian Perry to build a commemorative memorial has also been highlighted by Jem and Bobby Wright, the proud parents of Corporal Mark Wright, who died whilst attending an injured comrade in Afghanistan in 2006.

For generations Edinburgh has seen many of its finest sons killed in conflicts whilst serving our armed forces far from home. As the years have gone by, many of their names and gallant deeds have been long forgotten.

That is why it is important that the whole city supports the campaign to construct the memorial in Princes Street Gardens, built to recognise individuals from the Capital who have won bravery awards, along with the second memorial being constructed near Edmonstone that could be based on the same lines as the Staffordshire's National Memorial Arboretum, in which the city could commemorate its war dead.

Whilst there are many views on the politics of war, we should all unite and remember the sacrifice given by many brave young Edinburgh service personnel throughout generations.

Edinburgh historically is a city of great strength and character and its people in my view also command a great tradition of honour and respect.

Edinburgh City Council needs around £500,000 funding to start the commemorative project within the Gardens.

I hope the public appeal will be greatly supported by all and that we can all show our respect by helping to create a memorial that befits our fallen war heroes.
Lawrence Dinse, Crewe Road North, Edinburgh

Stranded by last bus alteration
LAST Wednesday evening I decided to take a shopping trip to the Gyle using my usual route, getting on the 38 at Blackford Pond and connecting with the 22 at Balgreen.

I left the Gyle at 8.30pm in plenty of time for the last 38 at 9.15pm. After standing for more than half an hour, I rang Lothian Buses on my mobile (luckily I had it with me) only to be told that the last 38 is now 7.30pm!

Granted there have been leaflets telling us of all the changes but no specific times and they haven't got round to changing them at the bus stops.

I am an OAP, so I then asked "How do I get home then?" The cheeky reply was "get a bus into town, connect with the 41 (which at this time of night is also part route) and walk the rest".

This virtually means anyone staying in the Cluny Gardens or Blackford Pond area cannot go out at night unless they have a car or willing to shell out at least £10 on a taxi which I had to do. I arrived home at 10.15pm from a very expensive shopping trip!
Evelyn A Stenhouse, Oswald Road, Edinburgh

Axed service leaves a very long walk
THE Lothian Buses No 12 no longer runs between Leith Links and Kings Road, Portobello and return. This part of the route not only takes in Seafield Crematorium but also the NHS Respite Home for the elderly plus the surrounding retail outlets.

There has been a petition to Edinburgh City Council, which is a large shareholder in the company, to retain the service, but so far there has been no response.

Visitors and workers who do not have their own transport have to walk a long distance to connect up with the main bus routes. After working a long shift in the home, having to walk such a distance is tiring and dangerous, especially with the long, dark evenings.

I would request everyone to lobby their councillors, MPs, MSPs ands Lothian Buses to reinstate that part of the No 12 route.
K R Sparrow, Waverley Park, Edinburgh

Credit firms aiming at the vulnerable
GIVEN the allegedly 'global' credit crisis, can someone please explain to me why I have just received a junk mail invitation to apply for a credit card with a £2500 credit limit?

What's in your wallet? Very little in my case, believe you me.

It is insidious that credit companies should be preying upon vulnerable people in these times of hardship and austerity.
Leslie John Thomson, Moredunvale Green, Gilmerton, Edinburgh