YOUR VIEWS: Kessock Bridge memories and the impact of holiday lets
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Readers share their thoughts on a range of issues. Let us know what you think.
Bridge is now 40 years old
The 40th anniversary of the opening of the Kessock Bridge brought back memories for many.
“My partner Theo Ratcliffe was one of the first people to cross the bridge before he was born on 3rd August 1982 on his way by ambulance for his mum, Annie Ratcliffe, to give birth to him . This was before the bridge was officially opened.” – Louise Willingale, Cromarty
Disagreement over funds
A green energy windfall has caused difficulty for the Stratherrick and Foyers community as disagreement has arisen over what to do with benefit funds arising from wind and hydro developments in the area.
“The old bridge is not a road but has history, repair it for use as a footpath. The field in question should be left as it is, let nature do its thing.We would really like, and many other locals, to be able to launch our boat and store it on site, when will that project be finished? Old dilapidated buildings are an eyesore, please use the money to smarten up the area!!!!” – Elsbeth, Whitebridge
Tackling short-term lets
Urgent action is needed to tackle growing numbers of short-term property lets in the Highlands, according to MSP Emma Roddick.
“Stopping second homes and houses bought for short term rent (holiday cottages to you and I) is a pathway fraught with uncertainties. What is needed is a comprehensive public housing programme. Building good quality housing for rent will help this problem relatively quickly and give control over who lives in them.” – Andrew Mackintosh
Tax cuts are not the answer
As with the First World War, a global conflict is driving up prices and the best that can be said is that at least we are not facing 25 per cent inflation as we did in that war, while in the Second World War inflation reached a “paltry” 17 per cent.
For those who favour tax cuts, recent history indicates that this could be the worst thing to do.
One only has to cast an eye back to Anthony Barber, Edward Heath’s chancellor, who faced the same spectre of stagflation as we do today.
High inflation was failing to drive economic growth and Barber initiated an economic policy not so far different to that which we are witnessing being debated by the Tory leadership hopefuls today.
Aiming for 10 per cent economic growth over two years, in a so-called “dash for growth”, Barber cut income tax, overhauled other levies and liberalised the banking system.
Government borrowing ballooned and then the bubble burst as sterling plunged in value and inflation climbed, before the Yom Kippur war triggered the oil crisis of 1973 and soaring oil prices.
While in other nations inflation fell, in the UK it rose to First World War levels, accompanied by two recessions.
Before the next Prime Minister looks to loosen the purse strings, the tales of Tory chancellors past should act as a clear wake-up call.
Alex Orr
Edinburgh
Tougher laws for e-scooters
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is proposing a new law of causing death by dangerous cycling.
This is to be welcomed but he needs to add e-scooters since unfortunately e-scooters will soon be legal on UK roads.
Cyclists and e-scooter riders should have identification, a Hi-Vis jacket, a helmet and insurance and, dare I say it, pay to use the roads.
At present they can injure pedestrians but ride off and there is very little chance of the police apprehending them.
Fleeing the scene of an accident should carry the threat of a prison sentence.
The offence of riding on the pavement needs substantial financial penalties imposed to deter reckless cyclists.
This will require the police to apprehend cyclists and e-scooter riders which at present they seem reluctant to do.
Clark Cross
Springfield Road
Linlithgow
Body image help for kids
For a lot of children and young people, body image is a great concern.
Going through physical body changes and developments is challenging enough, yet with outside influences such as social media, young people can feel even more pressure to look a certain way to fit in.
Every summer, we are confronted by advertisements asking if we are “beach body ready”.
Here at Childline, we have seen just how much these advertisements, messages and perceptions can affect the way in which young people view themselves.
Between April 2021 and March 2022, Childline delivered 5085 counselling sessions on the topic of struggling with eating and body image in Scotland and across the rest of the UK – a six per cent increase from 4787 in 2019/20.
We believe one of the reasons that children and young people are feeling low about their appearance is the increasing amount of time they spend on social media, particularly since the pandemic.
Some young people in Scotland have told Childline’s trained counsellors that they feel insecure and self-conscious about their weight after seeing images of others on social media platforms.
Here at Childline, we would like to remind all children that the service’s counsellors are here to support them and that they don’t have to cope alone.
They can contact our counsellors on 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk, where they can visit the “my body” advice page and also speak to other young people who might be feeling the same way via moderated message boards.
Paul Johnson
Childline team manager
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