Liners won't line pockets in Leith visits

I HAVE to applaud the journalistic license used in placing the two articles: "Operator puts freeze on Forth hovercraft in row over funds" and "Passengers come cruising in ready to splash £24m" on the same page in the Evening News on February 19.

The obvious link of course is Ocean Terminal, where potential hovercraft passengers would join the coach link, and where the Cruise Liners berth adjacent to the Terminal buildings.

However the commonality does not stop there.

If the hovercraft service comes to fruition, the passengers in both directions would use the connection at Ocean Terminal as just that, a connection. The service would do nothing for the economy of Leith.

The same can be said about the impending arrival of increased numbers of cruise passengers.

The article about the cruise passengers states that, in summary, 21,000 additional passengers are expected to come to Edinburgh, and the economic benefit to Edinburgh is expected to be more that £12.65m, increasing by ten per cent per year bringing the value of this sector to more than £24m.

The expected advantages are all Edinburgh-based.

The occasional passenger may spend an hour or so enjoying Britannia's delights or have an occasional coffee, maybe even buy a souvenir or two, but alas no more than that.

Not even the burgeoning restaurant business will see any advantage. When the tourists are disembarked at Leith, they will be whisked up to Edinburgh and farther afield, before returning to their warm self-contained suites.
Steve Mitchell, West Granton Road, Edinburgh

City must support smaller retailers
I WAS very interested in the continuing problems faced by Mr Hussain's Westend store in Melville Place. About 18 months ago, as Green candidate for City Centre ward, I spoke to Mr Hussain after he had been ordered to clear his fruit and vegetable displays from the pavement. I made representation to the city council on his behalf and was assured that no enforcement action was going to be taken.

I am dismayed that the issue has returned, under the guise of coping with traffic diversions. Anyone who knows the site is aware that the fruit and vegetables are well away from the roadside and there is plenty of space still on the pavement.

From speaking to residents in the area, the Westend store is a much-valued local service. Indeed many residents support the displays as adding colour to the neighbourhood. I realise that we are all meant to be shopping in sanitised supermarkets these days but, at a time when the Scottish Government is consulting on a food policy for Scotland, it beggars belief that a local trader providing affordable, fresh produce is being treated in this way.

The city council needs to back, not persecute, small traders.

Gavin Corbett, Briarbank Terrace, Edinburgh

A Lidl bit miffed by parking changes
I WOULD be very interested to hear if any other readers have been caught out by the changes to the car parking system at the Kirkgate Centre, Leith. Having just used the car park for the first time in a long while, I was incensed to receive a parking charge for £75, with a reduced rate of £45 if paid within a very short time limit.

My mistake was in believing that the meter had been removed and the car park was now free to encourage people to shop within the Leith area, which I did and after three hours was none the wiser that I had been parking in a short-stay car park.

I find it incredible that Lidl, who now own this car park, can demand charges like this for an area which was previously 50p to £2 for up to seven hours. This does not sit very well with their image as a company who promote themselves to customers on a budget.
Denise Needham, Clerwood Park, Edinburgh

Tattoo's one of our best investments
ALTHOUGH not a big fan of the Tattoo myself, unlike David Fiddimore (letters, February 22) I do appreciate that it is one of the biggest draws for tourists who come to Edinburgh and their visits do greatly benefit the economy of this city.

Without this the council would find it much harder to make ends meet thus making it even more difficult for schools and voluntary groups.

Despite being awarded the biggest ever funding from the SNP government, the city council had to sort the financial mess left by the previous administration which ran down the council's cash reserves and left an ongoing over expenditure in the children's and families budget which covers education and social work.

Perhaps the Unison rent-a-mob lot and other protesters should be directing their anger at those councillors who voted through the expensive £500 million tram line.

I am sure the council's input to this would cover whatever savings are required from schools and voluntary groups which like everyone else nowadays will just have to become a bit more efficient with their money.
Calum Stewart, Montague Street, Edinburgh

Trams letter gave me a good laugh
AFTER a hard day at work, I find the Evening News an enjoyable read on my train journey home to Glasgow.

But Thursday's edition found me laughing out loud when I saw the letter from Douglas G Smart.

With Edinburgh to have a tram network (line, surely!) and Glasgow the M74 extension, Mr Smart reckons "Glasgow will be a congested, noisy hellhole, Edinburgh will remain a civilised city".

Hmmm. At the same time Edinburgh opts for trams at £500 million, Glasgow decides £300m being spent on 2800 social housing homes is a better bet.

So, a roof over your head or an unnecessary tram line? You can keep your version of civilisation, Mr Smart.
S Fraser, Norse Place, Glasgow