I was entering Hepburn Street, Dundee, from Strathmartine Road recently at around 2.25pm and, as usual, there were many parked cars on the pavement right on the corner and a fair bit into Hepburn Street.
Luckily, knowing how bad the speed of some traffic coming along Hepburn Street is, I drive with great care and attention and luckily for me and the three little boys who crossed the road in between parked cars there was not a serious accident.
The boys should have been more careful but, to be fair to them, there was no safe place for them crossing for most of Hepburn Street, due to inconsiderate drivers parking their cars on and half on the pavements.
I got a terrible fright as I had to brake suddenly to miss all three of the boys.
I got out the car to tell the boys to be more careful due to the parked cars.
The boys appeared as though they had got a big fright and one little boy burst into tears. I explained that I was not angry with them but was concerned for their safety.
When is something going to be done about this situation of the parking or does it take a considerate safe driver like me to kill someone first? This has been going on for months now. — Veronica McLeod, Dundee
Bus changes mean pensioners miss out
Well done the Scottish politicians who gave the senior citizens free bus travel.
However, it is a pity they can’t take advantage of this benefit as the recent changes to times and routes of buses in Dundee are a disaster.
At a time when pensioners should be able to get around with ease, these changes are making things more difficult.
I refer specifically to the number two service, which was little more than a joke when they had a 30 minute service which has now become an hourly service with no service on Sunday.
The majority of passengers were senior citizens, who appear to be well at the bottom of Travel Dundee’s pecking order. — Disgusted.
MSP’s prison appeal
Regarding Dundee-based MSP Marlyn Glen’s comments on women in prisons.
She made an appeal to the Scottish Government to find an alternative to prison for female offenders.
I don’t believe such an appeal was made on behalf of male offenders.
I would like to inform Ms Glen that, like woman prisoners, a substantial number of male prisoners are also vulnerable and suffer from mental health and addiction problems.
I thought in this day and age gender favouritism was consigned to history. How naive I was. — P. A. Fisher, Newport on Tay.
Hazardous cycle paths
I reply to the letter writer who said cyclists must use lights at night and stay off pavements.
As a person who has cycled for over 30 years, I have seen Dundee roads get busier and busier, with the result of a lot of cyclists using the Dundee cycle routes, which, to the uneducated, are also shared footpaths.
I get fed up with pedestrians with expanding dog leads blocking the paths of cyclists by failing to control their leads/dogs in time despite a few short rings of my bell. There are also ramblers/walkers with headphones on.
At the Fife cycle route to Tayport from Dundee, motorists flashing full beam headlamps in response to my high power bike lamp. Would it be better to leave the lamp off? — Ex Dundee Wheeler.
Family tree
Can anyone help me trace my family tree? My dad Ronald James Middleton Gunn was born in Dundee in 1934. He lived in Dundee from 1934 to 1939.
His mum Isabella Gunn had a daughter Clelia born 1932 and they stayed at 2 Liff Road, Lochee at that time.
Ronald stayed at 108 Rosebank Street between 1934 and 1939. Can anyone please help me fill in the gaps? Contact 07939975878. — Rhona.
Coldside forum
Coldside Community Forum is hosting a meeting in Age Concern, Coldside (Fiveways) tomorrow at 6.30 pm.
This meeting will give the opportunity to ask advice and share opinions on any housing matters.
There will be representatives from the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, the Private Sector Services, Planning and Transportation Department and Dundee City Council Housing Department. For more information, contact 01382 221600 — Elaine Pratt.
Referendum
I reply to the Tele reader who demands a referendum on the union.
SNP deputy leader MSP Nicola Sturgeon recently admitted her party would hold further votes if it was rejected first time around.
The Scottish public would resist this as it would create disharmony amongst the public and uncertainty for business. — Politico.
Obama captures imagination
Realist seems to be of the opinion that believing in Barack Obama will lead to disappointment. However, I would disagree.
Mr Obama’s campaign may have been boosted by donations from the Wall Street firms, yet it should be noted that a sizeable chunk of the $600 million campaign fund was supplied by normal Americans who gave $10 here or $20 there.
Obama has captured the imagination.
He attracted a crowd of hundreds of thousands for his victory speech. Is there any other political figure, excepting Nelson Mandela, who could do that?
Also, a record number of 130 million voters turned out for the election because they believed change was coming. — Gregg Barrie.
Death “a relief” for Baby P
When a child is put on the at risk register, the child should be removed at once from where they are at risk. Why leave a child with the folk who put them at risk?
Baby P paid for this failure with his life. The horrendous torture this poor child suffered, meant death would be a relief.
I’ve read that the maximum sentence for this crime is 14 years. If ever the death penalty be reinstated then for this type of crime it’s a must.
The next best thing would be to lock them up until the day they die. I doubt that this will happen.
To think that these people will one day be walking the streets again turns my stomach. — Loving Gran.
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