Dear Editor, Not content with a recent 25% increase to the Forth Road Bridge toll, Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) are now proposing to bleed us dry through their "variable" toll which could, quite conceivably, equate to a £4 charge for a single occupancy vehicle. This punitive, outrageous and discriminatory charge is worsened by Fifers being in the unenviable position of having two tolled bridges and it occurring in the context of other areas having theirs removed. Furthermore, I would suggest that the money being spent on the aptly, but frighteningly, named Cyclopes camera (which can apparently identify human skin!) might more usefully be employed in contributing to the major repairs required. Heaven knows there appear to be enough of them.....

Naturally, I am extremely concerned about the repercussions for Fife residents who may have little choice other than to continue using the bridge - due to a lack of feasible alternatives - and on our economy. Clearly, in a highly competitive environment, additional costs can prove prohibitive to existing business or act as a disincentive to new ones: neither scenario bodes well for us.

I strongly believe, therefore, that the time is right for all Fifers to send an unambiguous message of our justifiable anger to Scottish Ministers and to demand, furthermore, urgent movement on a second crossing.

Yours, Cllr. John Mackenzie, Hayfield and Balsusney, Kirkcaldy.

Dear Editor, One would imagine that the Grit and Salt Bins provided by local councils, would grace every street and corner to provide residents the opportunity if making pavements and roads safe to use during bad weather spells. Well 'NO', that is not the case if you live in a rural area of West Lothian. After explaining to a council employee that my husband is disabled and we need access to the main road from our house (and other residents require access from theirs), we were told 'sorry' the main road is maintained by the council and you are responsible for access to your home. All we wanted was a grit bin allowing us to maintain access ourselves!!!!!!

Mrs Isobel Horne, West Lothian

Dear Editor, Just a thought regarding competition for mail delivery and collection. Can you just imagine it! On most street corner(s) there are two or three post boxes, one for the post office, the other for TNT and perhaps another for Deutsche Post!

Compound this with delivery provided by two or three mail companies each day while others  in the rural areas receive infrequent deliveries or none at all. Where is the sense in this? Would it not be simpler just to have one set of mail infrastructure? That is one post box and the stamp decides who carries the mail. Delivery being provided by one combined network - each company could tender for a region on a seven yearly basis! There are many options including keeping the Royal Mail as it is!

The proposed solution is bad news for those in the country and duplication for those in the cities. Do we really need this?

John McFinnie, Scotland

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