As a careful, considerate, gap-leaving user of the east-bound M8 (car park), found stationary at junction 21 most mornings, when not otherwise using public transport, I have considerable downtime to analyse what is the cause of the delays.
While the white vans, airport taxis and Mearns-owned cars of Bavarian origin zigzag their paths of least resistance through the gaps left for filtering purposes, maintaining the German theme, I recall a rush-hour commute between Dusseldorf and Dortmund. Initially racked with fear, trepidation and imposing doom of the journey ahead, the reality was actually a constantly moving, 60kmh average speed on a two-lane autobahn among, admittedly, some pretty aggressive but intelligent driving, surprising even with at least triple the population of Scotland in the equivalent of the M8 corridor travelling at the same time.
My junction 21 observations, worthy of PhD study, conclude that the jams are perpetuated not only by the zigzag brigade, but by poor junction design, shortcut-lane option, lack of filter gaps and good manners' signage. Perhaps the highways authority's intention, however, is to render movement totally impossible so public transport becomes the only option.
Jonathan F Jewitt, 38 New City Road, Cowcaddens, Glasgow.
The news that a permanent hovercraft link between Fife and Edinburgh would be viable is welcome (Plain sailing as trial backs hovercrafts across Forth, October 26).
However, the lack of support from the Scottish Government to this novel public transport solution is in stark contrast to the cavalier attitude taken to taxpayers' money over a second Forth road crossing. Ministers are reported as "needing to see the evidence" before investing a comparatively modest £3.3m in facilities for the hovercraft, yet for the second Forth road crossing have already made a decision, despite not having all the relevant evidence before them. A final report on the costs of increasing cable strength on the existing bridge is not expected until the end of the year.
Such reluctance to support public transport while writing a blank cheque to the roads lobby shows the contempt with which ministers hold the public transport user and the Scottish taxpayer.
Ian Sly, 20a Warrender Park Terrace, Edinburgh.
As a regular user of the A9, I understand and appreciate the reasons for the current proposals at the Ballinluig junction. The tragedies that have happened over the years cannot be allowed to continue and any changes that improve safety at the junction are to be applauded, even if they are long overdue.
Construction of the temporary roundabout to accommodate these changes has had such a marked effect on traffic, reducing the danger, that the question is begged: why not a roundabout as a permanent solution?
While providing a safe crossing environment, the millions of pounds saved could be diverted to other parts of the A9 needing serious and immediate attention.
Michael C Hastie, 567a Great Western Road, Aberdeen.
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