Readers' letters

MISERABLE TIME FOR TRAVELLERS

Dear Ed, — It is not true that railways in other countries are never disrupted by winter weather or that steam engines always used to get through the snow.

While most of our train services kept running through the first spell of extreme weather there was enough disruption, in all forms of transport, to make life miserable for many travellers.

I am grateful for Karen Gillon MSP requesting the transport authorities to explain just how our train services were disrupted.

Clearly, railway staff worked hard to keep trains running but both passengers and government should know the circumstances and what could be done to improve reliability in future.

Were our local services disrupted to give priority to main lines trains? The main line seemed busy enough, despite the weather.

Are there still enough trained staff available to attend to snow and ice on the trackwork or do risk assessments decide that staff cannot go anywhere near the track without stopping all rail traffic first?

Should we be grateful that the safety authorities did not just shut the whole railway system down to avoid any prosecution if things did go wrong?

Whatever else, I am not aware of any fatalities or injuries to rail passengers. Taking risks never seems a good idea afterwards if a tragedy has occurred.

I would be interested to hear of any problems rail users have had in this period at [email protected] or post at 2 Hope Street, Lanark, in particular experiences of any passengers on the very late running commuter train from Edinburgh to Carstairs on Tuesday, December 22, when the train got to Carstairs but could not get into the station because of a freight train incident and passengers were taken back to Edinburgh very late at night.

That may have been the safest course of action but I am sure the decision should be explained.

In this respect I should also thank Aileen Campbell MSP for raising the issue of the investigation into the freight train incident.

I'm sure the Rail Accident Investigation experts will, as always, do their job thoroughly and without fuss as they have done for the last 150 years or so but I do appreciate those few elected representatives who do keep up an interest in train services.

It seems to me that for most elected representatives "trains" are something to be mentioned before an election and then forgotten about.

There was disruption 350 miles away when passengers from France were delayed by breakdowns in the Channel Tunnel.

There are worrying reports that when evacuated from the tunnel passengers had to undergo stringent security searches by British police.

On a lighter note there are also reports that there had been an enthusiasts' train special to Folkstone that day and some of the passengers got back to London ...pulled by a steam engine. Yours etc, —

RALPH BARKER,

Clydesdale Action Group.

KIDS NEED SPACE

Dear Ed, — With regard to your front page article recently on the surplus land at Carluke Primary, I worked in education for many years and, as an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, I saw first hand what was happening in replacing our schools with the new rented schools.

A minor example is the restrictions now placed by the owners on the use of wall space for display: an annoyance to teachers who like to display children's work.

A major example is the pretence of consultation when the views of the public are ignored completely eg Craighead and Victoria Park Schools.

Unfortunately, employees of SLC are denied true freedom of speech. They cannot give an opinion contrary to council policy; if they do, they may be deemed in breach of contract and may lose their job.

All press statements must be passed by the council press officers. So teachers can voice no opinion on what is happening.

The loss of playing space started many years ago, when school boards were asked to inform the council if they had extra land which could be sold off.

I believe an example can be seen at Carnwath Primary. Law Primary fought against the loss of land last year.

Children need free space to run around in, not just a small "multi-use games area pitch". Carluke Primary used to have sports days at Belstane Road.

Where will such days be held now? Where can children learn the joy of running and being active in their free play at these new primary schools with their limited spaces for play?

It is so ironic that South Lanarkshire Council is to be joint promoter of the Children's Games when it denies its own young children the freedom to develop by giving them the space to run! — Yours etc.,

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.

HE'S LANARKIAN!

Dear Ed, — The Lanark Gazette of December 3 has been forwarded to me by a friend because of the article on page 8 featuring the boys from Hume's.

I was delighted to see my father, front left, Willie Fitzpatrick featuring with the other "well kent" faces.

I was, however, shocked on reading the penultimate paragraph in which it was suggested he may have been from Forth!

Willie was born in the North Vennel and lived in Lanark all his life. To the best of my knowledge, John Moffat, back right, was the native of Forth. — Yours etc.,

KATHLEEN CASSELS (nee Fitzpatrick),

Carr Crescent,

Crail,

Anstruther,

Fife.

HELP FOR FAMILIES

Dear Ed, — During this extremely cold weather, families in Scotland caring for a disabled child might like to know about help available from the Family Fund.

Many families need to keep their heating on constantly to prevent infections or to help their child's mobility.

When schools close, having children home all day means further expense. This leaves less money for essential items such as clothing or a washing machine.

The Family Fund gives grants for these things and more, including holidays and outings, recreational equipment and toys.

We would welcome applications from readers. Details from www.familyfund.org or call 0845 130 4542. — Yours etc.,

DEREK WALPOLE,

Chief Executive,

Family Fund.