However, difficulties in the area must be put into perspective.

We see similar problems in any given area in any town or city throughout the country.

The key to change is to acknowledge, and put a plan in place to deal with these problems. That is what we're doing.

The police have shown an absolute commitment to tackling problems in the area and statistics illustrate crime is decreasing in Stobswell.

Millions of pounds have been spent in recent years — through various initiatives — to make the area more visually appealing and a happier place to live and work. Change is occurring.

Hard-working Dundee City Council community officers, community activists, members of the public, Tayside Police and Maryfield Ward councillors: we all have the best interests of the area at heart.

We are all working hard to address difficulties in the area and we will certainly never give up. — Councillor Craig Melville, Maryfield Ward.

It beggars belief the city had Dundee West station, the handsome Victorian building which was demolished to make way for roads serving the Tay road bridge.

I believe Reiach and Hall, the Edinburgh architects responsible for Dundee City Council's new offices on North Lindsay Street, have an exciting proposal for the rail station as part of the waterfront development.

I hope we hear more about this proposal soon.

Meanwhile, it would be great to see a photo of the old Dundee West. — Dundee Reader.

It has been badly vandalised over the years and is in need of restoration and possibly re-siting in a more secure site.

But I feel that relatives of the soldiers remembered on the monument would not like to see it removed out of the Mains Parish area.

It was the people of this area, the majority of them working in the Midmill Bleachfield, who saved and collected for four years to have it built in a site they felt was ideal at that moment in time. — G. Masterton.

I have been along a couple of times since it re-opened and I agree it is a fine experience. You can spend hours walking around the exhibits.

If this is the kind of facility Dundee people can look forward to in years to come, then I can’t wait. — Art Fan.

The government has already taxed them, but maybe not as much as most people would like.

However, there is a reason for keeping this within limits.

The government is not stupid. It knows that with globalisation, the banks will just move their headquarters elsewhere, which is counterproductive when it comes to raising revenue from corporation tax and giving employment to many people.

Also, it is naive to think that the banks received a bailout from the taxpayers without having to pay it back.

Northern Rock, one of the first to be bailed out, has gone from strength to strength and is repaying us. Eventually it will probably be sold off, the profits going back to the government. — Taxpayer.

TOO MANY POLITICIANS

CHANCELLOR George Osborne has told the nation that we are all in this together and that he has tried to be fair.

He then went on to announce massive cuts in public services, which will result in thousands losing their jobs.

I do not feel that we are all in this together. I would have perhaps felt this if Mr Osborne had announced some culling of the politicians.

In England, people have been demanding devolved government.

English taxpayers should not be paying for devolved government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

I know if I was living in England I would not think it fair that my taxes were paying for devolved government to in all parts of the United Kingdom except England.

There are too many politicians. We don’t need councillors, MPs, MEPs and MSPs.

The work of many of these politicians is duplicated.

They and their staff are superfluous to the running of the country and their ranks should be reduced. — Alistair Watson.