Readers’ letters

Find out what our readers think of the stories making the Carluke and Lanark Gazette headlines.

Stones are help

Dear Ed, – I was concerned to learn about the problems on the Nemphlar Moor Road, reported in last week’s Gazette letters – especially the problems caused by the stones.

However, the stones have been put there to assist the drainage; this was done to stop vehicles getting bogged down at the side of the road.

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This summer saw this happen to a German tour bus which required the assistance of a crane to get it out.

Several actions followed: the first was to put up signage advising the unsuitability of the Lanark Moor road for buses and lorries, the second was to look at the drainage. Improved drainage is also aimed at trying to protect the road itself from water damage; this is being monitored to see if further work may be required.

Regarding the stones, I have witnessed how this can come about. I was driving to Hamilton and was overtaken by a car going far too fast in a narrow part of the road.

As he veered onto the side of the road a number of stones showered onto the road surface. Hopefully, a way will be found of addressing this problem and that people will drive along this road with more care.

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I know that this letter will be of little consolation but all the councillors in Clydesdale North are working hard with the roads department of South Lanarkshire Council to make the roads safer.

It must be stressed that it is not possible to deal with everything immediately but we are committed to trying our best. – Yours etc.,

CLLR ED ARCHER,

Lanark.

Lives in danger?

Dear Ed, – Re: New Road Plan, Gazette, October 24, 2012.

I believe that sending more traffic through South Vennel would put lives at risk.

There are two blocks of flats in South Vennel dedicated to the aged and often infirm residents who need to use walking aids and mobility scooters.

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The pavement at the High Street end of South Vennel is not wide enough for a pedestrian with a “walker” to use which means that they must cross to the opposite pavement for safety.

The turn from the High Street is blind to both motorists and pedestrians. Many motorists already ignore the prohibition to turn right from the high street and speed round this corner.

Elderly pedestrians need more time to cross the road. There is already a steady stream of workers and visitors to the council offices to contend with. Please consider this when making plans to change road layouts. – Yours etc.

MRS A MUNRO,

Wallace Court,

Lanark.

Is Sandy rogue?

Dear Ed, – Hurricanes in late October are rare, though Florida has suffered from late blooming October storms.

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But for Hurricane Sandy to be roaring around the North East of the USA close to November - is it a rogue hurricane – or is it another sign of climate change?

We can ignore these symptoms or try and do something about climate change even in South Lanarkshire.

The popular Caribbean hurricane mnemonic: “June too soon, July standby, August a must, September remember, October all-over” would suggest that Sandy is very late indeed and perhaps a sign of a very warm Atlantic Ocean late into the season. The tides they are a changing. – Yours etc.,

THOM CROSS,

Market Place,

Carluke.

Defending Beeb

Dear Ed, – What a sad individual your editorial writer (October 31) must be if all he gets from the BBC are the three programmes he mentions.

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I would respectfully remind him that far from his 42 pence a day supporting just one channel, in fact he supports four TV channels, together with six AM/FM radio stations, with several more if one counts the digital stations, all mercifully advert-free.

I suggest that he looks beyond the mainstream shows he admits to watching and tries some of the excellent travelogues, documentaries or arts programmes on BBC4, or tunes his radio to some of the eclectic range of excellent music offerred on Radio Scotland and Radios 1, 2, 3 and 6.

If he’s tone-deaf, no matter – there are thought-provoking, highly informative and often funny and entertaining radio programmes on Radio Scotland and Radio 4.

But he need not fear. Once the SNP’s utopia comes to frution, Scotland won’t be part of the BBCs target audience, so he’ll be able to watch knowing that the entertainment on offer will be the same advert-ridden down-market drivel the rest of the world has to endure. – Yours etc.,

BOB AVERY,

Goremire Road,

Carluke.

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Editor’s note: Bob, the writer was in fact a SHE; yes, a woman can be a petrol-head too.

Admittedly, I was driving home last Tuesday and thought: “Sugar, there is more than one BBC channel” and “Oops, I forgot about Attenborough” – or words to that effect.

You sound like you get your money’s worth from the Beeb. Sadly, I have little spare time to tune into the wireless or watch endless TV programmes.

It takes me all the time I have to watch the mainstream drivel I use to unwind – but I have a new-fangled remote which allows me to fast-forward ads.

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Perhaps in the future I may well get ALL the benefits you clearly do – until then, I’d like the option of opting out.

As for the SNP, I’m not a political animal but, regardless of who rules our country, the Beeb will still cater to its Scottish audiences so I’m not sure about that argument. But we’re all entitled to an opinion!

Help Ash survey

Dear Ed, – NFU Scotland is urging farmers to play their part in identifying and eradicating a fungal disease threatening the nation’s ash trees.

Chalara dieback of ash causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees.

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It was first reported as an unknown new disease in Poland in 1992. The first British case was confirmed in imported ash plants early in 2012. Since then, infected plants have been confirmed in nurseries in locations including Scotland.

Forestry Commission Scotland is undertaking a rapid survey of ash trees this week and NFU Scotland is asking its members to assist. – Yours etc.,

BOB CARRUTH,

NFU Scotland.