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Letters - 11 December 2008
Positive side to pupils’ pub lunch
Re the furore over Grove pupils having lunch in the Ferry Inn.
Some of the food outlets in the Ferry are too pricey for adults, let alone pupils.

If the landlord’s astute enough to see a gap in the market then good luck to him.

With so much focus on reducing teenage drinking, isn’t this an opportunity to show children that pubs aren’t just somewhere to go to get drunk and encourage them to go in to eat with friends or family?

Besides, if the bar staff know them, surely they are less likely to try to get in for a drink when underage?

A final point to Cllr Wallace, who instantly dealt with this complaint from the local who witnessed children buying lunch at the pub.

It’s a pity you weren’t so quick or willing to support the views of so many of your Ferry constituents who are unhappy about the Balmossie Fire Station proposals. — Over the Top, Dundee.

Worst lights in Scotland

Dull: The city centre lights

Does Dundee City Council think Dundonians are easily pleased with the Christmas lights in the city centre?

These have to be the worst Christmas lights in Scotland and I am embarrassed to call myself a Dundonian.

Look at Commercial Street, two sets of old 1960’s style carnival ride lights and in the Nethergate the other lights are so dull they have no effect whatsoever.

Christmas is a time for bright things, but Dundee City Council’s effort is so dull and they said they spent more money on lights this year.

I’m 34 and it’s the same Christmas lights in the town ever since I was a child and I can’t see it ever changing.

Also, look at the tree in Lochee — half lit, and the one at Westport, also half lit. If Dundee City Council can’t be bothered with Christmas lights effort, they shouldn’t bother at all.

At least the Overgate shopping centre looks nice. — Embarrassed Dundonian.

Unreliable buses
Having just waited 52 minutes for a No. 17 from the city centre to Whitfield, I again call for something to be done about the ridiculous service we have to put up with.

During the time I waited, three 17s were scheduled to pass by. God only knows where they went.

It’s no wonder there are so many cars on the road, since you can’t rely on public transport.

And it’s pointless complaining to Travel Dundee as they send out cards promising formal written responses within 10 days but the actual response never materialises. —Tired Of Waiting.

How many times was Elvis in UK?
On Saturday night, after the football results, a TV programme about Scotland came on.

The narrator said — when talking about Prestwick Airport — that the one and only time that Elvis Pressley set foot on British soil was when he stepped down from an aircraft onto the tarmac before the plane took off to Germany.

I have always thought that Elvis came over to London from America with his manager Colonel Parker to sign a contract to do a few shows in and around London.

The money terms could not be agreed so they left without signing any contract and so Elvis never toured Britain at a later date because of this disagreement. — C. A. Walker, Lochee.

Know the Highway Code
I would like to draw some readers’ attention to Rule 170 of the Highway Code, especially the charming gentleman who blasted his horn at me as I crossed Balmore Street at the junction with Dura Street on Tuesday evening.

It says: Take extra care at junctions. You should:

n Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters and pedestrians as they are not always easy to see. Be aware that they may not have seen or heard you if you are approaching from behind.

n Watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way.

n Watch out for long vehicles which may be turning at a junction ahead; they may have to use the whole width of the road to make the turn (see Rule 221).

Yes, I did have right of way. I suggest you pick up a copy and read what you should already know. — Careful Pedestrian.

Crossing worry
With the ongoing absence of our much appreciated crossing guard outside the main gates of SS Peter & Paul School, Dundee, parents are urging the City Council to provide temporary cover until the regular crossing guard is able to return to his post.

The road is particularly busy and dangerous to children on this part of Byron Street and without a crossing guard it really is only a matter of time before one of the children is hurt. — The School Parent Council.

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.*
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