Dundee’s Fairmuir Post Office is set to close in the latest round of cuts.
With the closure of so many post offices throughout the UK. I get very despondent when you think of how it will affect the elderly population.
It is sad to see that their welfare does not appear to be a priority.
This is not the only significant change pensioners will be facing in the future.
The Government is also planning to stop the Post Office Card Account by 2010, which means that elderly people will have to face the possibility of opening bank accounts to receive their State pension.
Surely the Government knew when it analysed the situation and identified the key issues facing local post offices that there would be far-reaching consequences for our elderly?
It should have a strategy in place which would alleviate the impact of such policies on local communities.
The closure of post offices all over the UK is a sad loss to every community in the land. — Jack Stewart, National Pensions Convention, Potterhill Flats, Perth.
A9 no problem for competent drivers
Regarding the A9. If a driver is competent and knows the road signs, then there should be little problem.
On the dual carriageway sections, there are large No Entry signs erected and anyone who does not understand them should not be driving.
Furthermore, if drivers obeyed the speed limits on the A9 instead of careering along, trying to pass everything in sight, there would be a drastic reduction in fatalities.
I suggest if Concerned cannot abide by the rules and does not understand the signs and limits, then he/she should not be driving in the first place. — User Of A9.
Aggressive drivers
There are increasing calls to upgrade the A9 Perth to Inverness to dual carriageway. Why was this not done during the original upgrading from 1974 to 1986?
I suspect, however, speed and aggressive drivers play a part in many accidents. — Dryburgh Reader, Dundee.
Angry motorist
To the pony-tailed woman who shouted abuse on Sunday night about 8.45 pm. When you are coming onto the Kingsway from Old Glamis Road, if you are not signalling right or left, it must be assumed you are travelling across the circle to carry on down Old Glamis Road.
Yes, I was travelling in the outside lane of the Kingsway, and I was travelling straight along the Kingsway, but I never knew you were intending to turn left onto Kingsway, as you were not signalling.
I would have stopped to explain your mistake, but you didn’t look like anybody could give you advice. — Honest Driver.
Ring found
I found a gold ring with a stone in the middle in Clepington Road, Dundee, on Saturday evening at 5 pm. I have handed it into the Bell Street Police Station. — Reader.
Labour heading for electoral blow
The new Labour leadership battle has highlighted the hypocrisy of those in the New Labour movement.
Not two months ago, the Labour cabinet in Scotland “unanimously” backed Wendy Alexander in her support for a referendum on Scottish Independence.
Now, mysteriously, all the cabinet members are standing against it.
So while they continue to ignore the fundamental human right to self-determination in Scotland, but support that same right in places as diverse as Kosovo and Palestine, we are left with personal insults being hurled at Alex Salmond as a substitute for coherent policy.
As Labour has betrayed its core support and been deserted by those they hoped would keep them in power for a generation, I believe that they are too headed for electoral oblivion. — The Watchman.
Privatisation has helped
From the Tele letter entitled “Wage Debate” I take issue with the writer’s assertion that “for the consumer, privatisation is the worst thing ever to happen to the people of this country.”
The term privatisation is really a bit of a misnomer as what it really did was allow the public to buy shares in what had hitherto been state corporations, accountable to no one.
Has anyone ever tried going along to a shareholders’ meeting of the Gas Board?
On the lips of everyone just now is energy prices. I now pay direct debits of £25 each per month for gas and electricity to Scottish and Southern Energy, and my gas is going up by £5 a month.
So I am getting my two-bed house totally heated and powered for £14 a week. Twenty years ago I was £15 a week for an all-electric flat with the same accommodation.
I now have gas central heating, gas shower, four hi-fi systems, three TV/VCR/DVD systems, a computer and a tumble dryer, most of which I did not have 20 years ago. Private utility has been pretty good to me. — Dundee Reader.
Painted trains
I can’t believe the fuss the Labour Party is making over Transport Scotland’s decision to put the Saltire on the trains the next time they are repainted.
Of course, they are looking a bit sheepish after Transport Scotland admitted that the process was started when Labour was still in power.
But could someone from the Labour Party explain one thing to me? Do they really think the people of Scotland will base their decision on Scotland becoming independent on whether or not there is a Saltire on our trains?
Do they really have so little respect for their fellow Scots? — Political Connoisseur.
Lymphoma meeting
Have you, your family, or friends been affected by Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma? Our next Lymphoma Support Meeting is tonight at 6.45 pm in Maggie’s Centre, Dundee. Guest speaker Jo Hiles from Lymphoma Association. — Mary Shields.
THE ADDRESS for readers’ letters is - Readers’ Page, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. They can also be placed in our post box at our offices in Albert Square, Dundee, emailed to us on letters@eveningtelegraph.co.uk or faxed on 01382 454590. We ask correspondents using a nom-de-plume or sending by e-mail to provide a name and address for reference purposes. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit any letter. Please keep letters as short as possible.*
