YOUR VIEWS: Road charging schemes will drive Scots into further hardships
The recent proposal empowering Scottish councils to introduce road charging schemes, as highlighted in The Scotsman, raises urgent concerns for drivers and families throughout Scotland.
While the intention may be to manage traffic and reduce congestion, the reality could burden ordinary citizens already grappling with rising living costs.
Charging residents for road usage is a policy that risks inadvertently punishing those who rely on their vehicles for work and essential activities.
Many Scots, particularly in rural and suburban areas, have limited public transport options, making their cars indispensable.
Instead of implementing charges, councils should prioritise improving infrastructure and investing in reliable public transport solutions.
The Scottish Government must proceed cautiously with these proposals, ensuring that the needs of all citizens are considered.
Politicians should listen to the voices of the public who may feel sidelined by decisions made without ample consultation.Initiatives should aim to support rather than hinder the daily lives of communities across Scotland.
If we are serious about fostering a thriving economy and maintaining mobility for all, we need policies that encourage responsible road usage without imposing financial penalties.
Empowering councils with such taxing measures could lead to unintended consequences that affect the very people they are meant to serve.
Alastair Majury
Dunblane.
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Pressing problem cause by closure of our public loos
The lack of "open" public loos remains an issue, so I was motivated to pen another poem.
The Need to Go
If there's one thing that our councils,
Really ought to know.
Is that a toilet should be available,
For when people need to "go". It must be a basic 'human right', To have access to a loo.
If you are absolutely desperate, What are you supposed to do?
Some go behind the building, If the public loos are locked.
Excremental mess is disgusting, And many people can be shocked.
There are communities with brave locals, Who strive to keep public toilets working.
They have volunteers to clean them, And there is very little shirking.
But, unfortunately their efforts, Are often sadly all undone.
When vandals sabotage their building, Why is wrecking loos such fun?
Public conveniences are essential, For those who cannot wait.
Soiled clothes cause loss of dignity,
It's such a distressing fate.
For travellers on our highways, Who require a comfort stop.
There's seldom anywhere to go, A layby maybe all they've got.
People shouldn't urinate in public, It can he a punishable offence.
But with too few police available, They may not require defence.
One thing that is quite certain, Is that we all need to pee and poo.
Drivers could become distracted, When they're desperate for a loo.
We're now in the tourist season, With more people on our roads.
Long journeys without services,Can be hard for young and old.
With so many public toilets closed, Council's might think they're saving money.
But for those who have an accident, It is really far from funny.
"Open" toilets are essential, For all of us they are a must.
But sadly they are often lacking, Should this matter be discussed?
Barbie Miller
Grantown.
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Holyrood lagging behind on power to remove MSPs
Jamie Hepburn, the minister for parliamentary business, told Holyrood's standards committee that he supports the principle of the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill, he had concerns about the cost.
He alleges that there would be ‘anonymous campaigns to fire politicians’.
Of course he would say this since SNP MSPs would be most at risk.
The Recall of MPs Act was invoked in 2015 so the SNP dominated Scottish Government have been dragging their feet and are 10 years behind.
Why? Some of the more cynical electorate might suggest that this was because the SNP would have lost numerous MSPs over the years including ministers.
Neil Gray, Scotland's Health Secretary with his government limousines and Michael Matheson along with his holiday iPad would be worthy candidates.
Clark Cross
Linlithgow.
