YOUR VIEWS: Greens blamed for Highland road delays, 20mph limits and cold weather help
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Greens holding back roads work
Forget about the dualling of the A9 or the A96, they are not going to happen in the next 10 years and if the Green Party keep having their say then they will probably never get completely dualled.
It’s what is happening on the rest of our roads in Scotland and in particular the A9 north of Inverness.
In an article in the Sunday Times this week I was horrified to read about the budget cuts to Scotland’s main trunk roads. In 2016-17 spending on trunk roads in Scotland was £502m, last year it was £46m and this year it will be £12.4m, a 4000 per cent decrease in eight years.
According to the Registers of Scotland 97.8 per cent of Scotland is rural but only about 17 per cent of the population lives in a rural area – but this 17 per cent of the population is being let down by the SNP government and its Green Party puppet masters.
Related article: A9 inquiry: Reasons for programme failure remain 'murky'
Supporting rural communities is a stated aim of the Scottish Government and building and maintaining a decent road infrastructure is vital in supporting these communities, but we are being let down badly by this SNP government.
As seen recently we have the road north of Inverness closed on numerous occasions due to flooding at Tomich and Golspie and the Scrabster road closed due to a landslide.
When will the SNP realise that the Green Party have put their ambition for net zero as their main target at the expense of all else.
They don’t seem to realise that the voters will not blame the Greens for this debacle but the SNP and it is them that will suffer at the next election.
By the way, I see that the two ferries ordered from Turkey six years after the two ordered from Ferguson Marine are due to be launched and will probably sail before either of the Ferguson ones.
Hugh Millar
Castlegreen Road
Thurso
More needs to be done to help in the cold
With temperatures plummeting this week it’s unjust that Scots, who generally live in the coldest UK nation, are literally frozen out of receiving cold weather payments, compared to people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, people on low incomes and benefits may receive a one-off Winter Heating Payment, which is £55. This barely even covers a week’s worth of heating and electricity use.
But for those living with a terminal illness, the colder months can bring an extra chill in the form of crippling energy bills, due to their conditions making them feel colder coupled with powerful medical equipment needed to help alleviate their symptoms.
The Scottish Budget 2024-25 cut investment in fuel poverty from £21.8m to £1.7m. Many Scots were already struggling to pay their energy bills, indeed in survey commissioned by Marie Curie said 75 per cent of respondents would struggle to pay their energy bills if they were diagnosed with a terminal illness and unable to work. Women in particular would struggle a lot (78 per cent).
Scotland is also the most rural nation in the UK, and experiences some of the harshest winters. Scottish and UK Governments have a responsibility to ensure no-one dies in poverty at the end of life, and terminally ill people are fully supported financially, physically and emotionally to have an end of life experience which reflects what’s most important to them.
If not, we fear terminally ill people could – quite literally – freeze to death this winter.
Ellie Wagstaff
Senior policy manager
Marie Curie
Links Place
Edinburgh
Resolve to support heart charity this year
Did you know that a quarter of adults can’t think of something they’re truly proud of in the last 12 months? This statistic highlights the need for meaningful experiences that not only enrich our lives but also make a positive impact on the lives of others.
As we step into the promising year of 2024, I’d like to encourage people to embark on a journey that not only fosters personal pride but also contributes to a noble cause.
Participating in an event for the BHF provides the perfect opportunity to achieve both.
The BHF is supporting more than 60 events across the country this year, including the Edinburgh Half Marathon. By choosing to take on an event like BHF’s iconic London to Brighton Bike Ride, Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim or one of the AJ Bell Great Run Series events, which the BHF are official charity partner for, you not only challenge yourself physically and mentally but also contribute to funding crucial research.
Imagine the sense of accomplishment and pride you’ll feel as you cross that finish line, knowing that your efforts have made a difference to the 7.6 million lives affected by heart and circulatory diseases, in the UK each year.
To learn more about BHF events or to register, visit the British Heart Foundation website: www.bhf.org.uk/events
Dan Geneen
Head of Events Marketing
British Heart Foundation
Have your say on Highland 20mph limits
As Highland Council reminded people about the approaching close of a consultation on the 20mph limits pilot project taking place in communities across the region people continued to offer their views.
“In residential streets and near schools, 20mph speed limits are appropriate, however main roads in and around the city should remain at 30 and 40 to ensure traffic flows effectively.” – Gregor Hay
“I have no problem around schools and vulnerable places but not blanket coverage. Surely common sense has to prevail.” – Richard Paxton
“No point if you can’t police it.” – John Chapman
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