Letters: Better to err on the safe side by stocking up on salt

I AM slightly concerned by the article "9-5 ploughs will see us right as long as it never snows at night" (News, October 22).

I read with particular interest the part which states the council have stockpiled 5200 tonnes of salt with another 2000 tonnes on order.

However, I wonder if this is enough to see the city through another severe winter? In normal circumstances 7200 tonnes would probably be enough but if we have another whiteout this might not be enough.

At the start of last winter Fife Council also had around 7000-8000 tonnes but like many councils ran out as conditions got progressively worse.

However, this year I am led to believe they currently have around 21,000 tonnes in stock. In the event of a mild winter none of this will be wasted as it is kept in dry storage and will be used in future years.

I would urge all councils to up their levels of salt to ensure they don't run out at the most critical time.

Perhaps it is time that a whole new approach to snow and ice clearing was adopted in the UK such as making retailers responsible for clearing the snow on a shopping street or making it compulsory for local landowners/farmers to become involved in snow clearing. I believe a similar system is used in other European countries.

If the above was adopted then perhaps roads would be cleared, made safe and re-opened sooner which would benefit the economy as a whole and most probably would lead to savings for authorities.

Alastair Macintyre, Webster Place, Rosyth, Fife

Hours worked are a real thaw point

YOUR article implies that our roads team only work 9 to 5 during freezing weather. In fact our team of gritters would typically start at 5am, but during severe weather work around the clock to keep the city clear and safe.

We don't know what this year's winter weather will hold for us, but as happened earlier in the year the Director has the flexibility to make funds available as required to provide an enhanced service, irrespective of whether there is a specific overtime budget.

Councillor Gordon MacKenzie, transport leader, Edinburgh City Council

Pigs safer in the wild than in zoos

I CANNOT fathom the reasoning behind the senseless killing of two "surplus" pigs at Edinburgh Zoo (News, October 20). That two young pigs can create a surplus in an endangered breed simply boggles the mind. Most certainly there were other, more favourable and less appalling options and why they weren't selected does not speak well for the people involved in this tragic decision.

It would be interesting to hear an explanation from those involved as to why these two young pigs could not be released to a sanctuary and their lives spared. Spaying and neutering is an easy remedy to prevent breeding and, as here in the USA, there certainly would be an abundance of qualified sanctuaries willing to take them. This was a cruel, wasteful and disgusting killing and anyone responsible should be seeking other employment.

Any legitimate organisations who disagree with this slaughter should immediately distance themselves from those who feel this shameful act is an appropriate method to manage captive populations of endangered animals.

This action is certainly not what the public supporting zoos would expect and a severe backlash is deserved and likely. It would appear that the endangered pigs are more at risk in a zoo setting where people should be able to appreciate them than they would be taking their chances in the wild.

Dawn Camp, Torrey Hill Road, Java Center, New York

Tell us the truth on Trident policy

I FEEL Alex Salmond and the SNP hierarchy are not being honest regarding their policy on the Trident submarines.

Why are they not spelling out the cost and the maintenance of them, and what they intend doing with the money saved? These funds could save the RAF's Kinloss and Lossiemouth bases.

John Connor, David Henderson Court, Dunfermline