The banks have got it wrong on branch closures

MANY people are upset, with good reason, over bank branch closures and computer failures.

My local NatWest branch will close in June, which will mean my nearest branch will be eight miles away. I was given a pamphlet advising me my nearest ATM was at a branch of the Halifax that, in fact, closed last August.

I believe the real reason for branch closures is to force people to use internet banking. I wrote to the chief executive of NatWest, pointing out that one in five of the people in my area is aged over 65 and many can’t use computers.

I received a copy-and-paste reply from a minion that did not address the issue I had raised.

I know a number of computersavvy younger people – the type banks are targeting – who are moving to Metro Bank because its branches are open at weekends and it has tellers. This proves the big banks have got it wrong with branch closures.

Due to the government bailout, taxpayers are shareholders in RBS NatWest, so why doesn’t the Government appoint a board member to represent interests?

John eDWarDs, epsom, surrey.

No need for speed

JUST when we all thought our Scottish parliament didn’t care, a wonderful piece of legislation has been proposed.

With the tourist season upon us, what better way for visitors to marvel at the wonders our country has to offer than to impose a 20mph speed limit?

They can take in the fantastic arty arrangements of litter along highways and byways.

They will have time to marvel at the incredible variation in potholes – and appreciate the dedication of local authorities to resisting the temptation to fill them.

Where once were legendary vistas, there are now opportunities for holiday pictures of obligingly static wind turbines.

With one stroke there will be fewer accidents, apparently, so those tourists will leave without putting more pressure on our sadly under-funded hospitals. Visitors will marvel at a country ready for the 18th century. Josephine Chambers, minnigaff, Kircudbrightshire.

Pothole misery

THE Scottish Government wants to encourage cycling but the pothole situation highlighted by John MacLeod (Mail) makes it a dangerous proposition.

The edges of many roads are worn and broken up, full of holes after a tough winter.

This forces cyclists out into the road, where drivers are notorious for not giving us enough room.

Dan smith, Glasgow. EVEN when work is carried out on our roads, it’s not always a huge success. We suffered huge inconvenience when the A78 in Ayrshire was shut over three weekends for repairs.

The sections that have been worked on are smooth – but some of the worst potholes remain.

h. Wilson, largs, ayrshire.

Say sorry to us!

WITH the appointment of Sajid Javid as Home Secretary, the phrase ‘hostile environment’ is to be rejected with regard to immigration. But as a so-called baby boomer, I feel that my generation is living in what is fast becoming a hostile environment.

We are not well off after Gordon Brown trashed our private pensions. I receive only a third of what I expected to be living on in retirement.

Politicians have apologised for what today are perceived as other errors made in the past, so how about apologising to us? Jane marshall, Glastonbury, somerset. JUST because Sajid Javid’s father was a bus driver doesn’t mean he can’t do the job of Home Secretary — as long as he arrives on time.

ronalD ball, Farnborough, hants.

‘Regrettable’ SNP

NICOLA Sturgeon finds it merely ‘regrettable’ that victims of crime are denied even the SNP’s soft justice because Police Scotland are so overstretched they cannot lodge paperwork in time (Mail).

Regrettable is when your bus doesn’t turn up. Justice denied to hundreds of victims is a scandal deserving of a public inquiry.

What is regrettable is Scotland being landed with an incompetent Government, with incompetent ministers running health, justice, education and transport.

Having scraped the barrel to fill her Cabinet, the First Minister would need to lift it and look underneath for replacements. phil Johnson, bishopton,

renfrewshire.

Thumbs up to Trump

TO the people planning demonstrations during Donald Trump’s visit: not in my name.

I appreciate the sacrifice made by so many young Americans by supporting us in World War II.

It has become fashionable to ridicule the US President and yes, he has made crass comments.

Yet he struck an accord with North Korea and wiped out Syria’s chemical weapons. oliVer Chisholm,

sherborne, Dorset.

Deserve a medal

AFGHAN interpreters should not have to pay the Home Office £2,400 each to avoid deportation (Mail).

Their service to our country deserves better. They should be welcomed here and given a medal. phil Grimson, address supplied.