Letters: Underground cash could fund tram line completion

As most tram and light rail systems in the UK started off with one line and extended over the years, I expect Edinburgh’s trams to be the same.

However, there is an exception to this. The Glasgow subway is still the same length (6.5 miles) as when it was opened in 1896. This failing system, now down to 13 million passengers annually, is being given £246 million from the Scottish Government to be spent on modernisation.

A more reasonable use for that money would be to extend the Edinburgh tram line from York Place to Ocean Terminal, particularly as there have been years off disruption and millions spent on rerouting the utilities on Leith walk.

George Ritchie, North Gyle Terrace Edinburgh

Show us pros and cons before poll

While the views of 16 and 17-year-olds on independence should be listened to and respected, I think people of this age are too young to be given the vote on such an important issue and lack the relevant experience to make such a decision.

Not only that, but if they are given the vote how many will actually use it? And is it not just a move to bolster support for the “Yes” campaign?

If anything, the money being spent on administration costs to push the bill through should be spent on a clear explanation of the pros and cons of an independent Scotland.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

Where are these Princes St bars?

I NOTE in the article “We’re on the cusp of a brand new era” (News, March 13) there is a suggestion of extending the pavement on Princes Street to allow “bars and restaurants to spill out on to the pavements”.

Apart from McDonalds (which appears to have spilt out already, judging by the litter) what other bars and restaurants are they expecting?

John Bell, Braid Road, Edinburgh

Capital wasn’t named by English

With regard to your supplementary column ‘Window into times past’ which accompanied the article on the skeleton of the medieval knight discovered in High School Yards (News, March 13), the assertion that Edinburgh was named by English invaders in the 7th century is a highly contentious one.

The old Celtic name of’ ‘Dun Eidin’ has applied to the castle rock from an earlier period and means the fort (Dun) on the Hill – “eidin” being a term associated with a hilly or sloping landscape, and it is from there it is thought the town subsequently got its name.

In any case, the 7th century is too early a period to refer to England as we know it today as is also the case with Scotland.

The “English” invaders were in fact the Northumbrians, fropm one of the most powerful regional centres of the age and who themselves would not have appreciated the “English” reference .

Mike Nolan, Hampton Place, Edinburgh

Children in Syria need your help

This week marked two years since the conflict in Syria began. The war has already claimed 70,000 lives and up to two million children still remain inside the country facing risk of disease, malnutrition and severe trauma.

Save the Children is on the ground in Syria and neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq providing water, medicine and clothing for families that have been forced to flee their homes.

Innocent children are being caught up in the conflict on a daily basis, with thousands being injured or killed in the fighting. Health care is becoming increasingly difficult to access as more than half of Syria’s hospitals have now been damaged.

We are calling for all parties to the conflict to allow unfettered, safe access to populations in need and to ensure that everything is done to bring the fighting to an end.

So far Save the Children has reached more than 250,000 children and their families. As the conflict enters its third year we are aiming to reach more than 730,000 children. We are asking the people of Edinburgh to help us continue to provide vital aid to Syrian families.

Douglas Hamilton, Save the Children, Thistle Street, Edinburgh