Waterfront must reflect needs of all

READING in the Evening News, (Design tsar wades in to attack city Waterfront, January 15) about Sir Terry Farrell's criticism of how he feels the Waterfront development is in "lack of joined -up thinking" over the present plans by the developers, shows yet more distrust with what the developers are planning for the former brownfield regeneration site.

Sir Terry's point about the lack of cohesion between the various master plans and the lack of vision in creating a development on such a scale and quality that Scotland's capital city rightly deserves only helps support the recent criticism by Leith-based architects AiA that the development seems to be uninspiring and in need of a change of direction.

The £7 billion Waterfront development is one of the largest regeneration developments in Europe. Forth Ports, who are by far the largest landowners, have borne the brunt of criticism in the way regeneration has progressed since the Leith Docks Development Framework was put forward.

There is clear need for more control regarding any future planning issues that are put forward. At the same time more must be done to protect the existing community residents outside the development from many of the problems that could see a decline in their quality of community life and environment by possible over-development.

The Waterfront development will create a dynamic change within the city of Edinburgh. The developers and city planners must strive to build a development of environmental and architectural quality, whilst making sure the aspirations and expectations of the existing community residents are also made to benefit.

One small way Forth Ports can show they are committed to a policy of social inclusion would be for them to reduce the large increase in rental demand from the great Newhaven heritage museum. This simple commitment would ensure the museum will stay at the present harbour side where it rightly belongs.

The Waterfront is not just about bricks and mortar, but also protecting and building the social fabric of a new vast community – a task that involves listening to all concerns and viewpoints.

Lawrence Dinse, Crewe Road North, Edinburgh


Got car trouble? Get on your bike

HOW about seeing the extensive roadworks which Edinburgh is facing this year as an opportunity, not just a disaster (Don't drive into town, Evening News, January 15)? Your article was written from the point of view of the motorist, but there is an increasing number of cyclists in the city.

A sensible response to the looming severe traffic delays is to join their number, and discover that journeys to and across the city-centre can be made more quickly on a bike than stuck in a car in a traffic jam.

Not only will you save time, but you will have no parking fees or fines, no trouble finding a space, and get some good exercise without wasting time in a gym!

Add to that zero fuel costs and CO2 emissions, and I would say that 2008 in Edinburgh is definitely the Year of the Bicycle.

Dr Guy Johnson, Sighthill Health Centre


Vote consistent with council policy

FURTHER to your story which mentioned use of my casting vote to refuse a licence to the Hotel du Vin in the October Licensing Board (£10m Hotel du Vin granted right to live up to its name, News, January 15).

My decision was based on council policy which had been introduced to prevent the number of licences within a specific area of the city from expanding.

The background of course to this policy was indicated in the Evening News on January 3, when police reported 4500 incidents in pubs and clubs, mainly in the area where the board considered there were sufficient licences. Council policies are put in place to protect the entire population within the city and hopefully you can rest in your bed at night, knowing that a council policy will prevent a developer building a ten-storey block of flats adjacent to your property, or a public house being opened with karaoke and night club facilities running till 5am. That is the reason I voted as I did at the October board.

This week's licensing board minded to grant the application and I therefore abstained.

Councillor Alastair S Paisley, Pentland Hills Ward


Closure blows up bridge safety fears

THE closure of the Forth Road Bridge last week during high winds raises some serious questions over the safety of the painting operation at the south tower.

Prior to the work commencing, the bridge operators FETA erected a dropped object canopy above the carriageway to protect bridge users from any debris or materials which could potentially fall from the platform. Why therefore did the bridge have to close?

Do we just have to hope that if anything was ever to be dropped from the platform that there would be no wind and it would just fall straight on to the canopy?

Is FETA not confident that the netting above the carriageway could successfully retain an object dropped from the platform during high winds? Why were loose materials left on the platform when bad weather was forecast?

These are some of the questions the authority will have to answer if bridge users are to be fully confident in their safety procedures.

Martin Gallagher, Stoneyflatts Crescent, South Queensferry


City takes biscuit for delayed work

EVER since July I have contacted Edinburgh City Council and Clarence because in the guided way at Broomhouse Halt East the light in the shelter has been vandalised. I received e-mails passing the buck, the latest informing me the new tram organisation would be dealing with it.

Now it's January and guess what? Still no repair. I thought the councils in London were bad but this takes the biscuit!

Charles Holloway, Broomhouse Avenue, Edinburgh