Bins won’t fix Govanhill

When I read the story on November 18 about 1000 bins for Govanhill, I felt compelled to respond.

While every initiative to improve the living standards here are welcome I felt totally underwhelmed by this announcement.

After living here for over 30 years the deterioration is not going to be solved by wheely bins and shows a total lack of imagination by local representatives if they think it is.

Our health centre which has served this community really well over the years is overwhelmed with patients, schools are overflowing and not one penny has been spent on improvements or staff levels in both.

Private housing is packed with overcrowding- everyone knows this but nothing is done.

Wheely bins are not going to solve Govanhill’s problems but as the saying goes someone better wake up and smell the coffee before its too late and Govanhill sinks beneath the waves.

Ian Stewart, via email

Council’s repairs not enough

I was interested to read recent letter writer Bill Love’s observation about how many city street lights on the Style Mile are faulty.

I think w e can add those faults to the large number of potholes, graffiti and stickers on city centre signs, bins and lampposts. I am convinced that council staff have been expressly told not to report these faults. It appears the council will only repair faults that have been reported by the public. They appear to be refusing to accept full responsibility for maintaining a council asset despite being paid to do so.

Mr Love did not mentioned if he reported the faults, but if he didn’t there is a chance the lights will still be faulty during the imminent Style Mile Carnival. What a shame.

Chrissie Francis, Merchant City

Kez could learn from students

Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf must be extremely tempted to respond to Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale’s demands for his resignation over problems with Scotland’s railways by saying “Fine. I’ll go if you’ll take the job and we’ll all see if you manage any better”.

Ms Dugdale’s approach is an unattractive harkback to old style student politics and she could learn greatly from the current generation of student politicians in NUS Scotland who exhibit a more nuanced approach to political debate and decision making.

John Hein, via email