Worst offenders are not buses

Sir, – I read,with dismay, the article in The Courier regarding pollution on Crieff High Street (“Bid to fine drivers for idling engines”, September 4).

For anybody to suggest that buses should be removed from Crieff High Street because their diesel fumes are contributing significantly to air pollution is, quite frankly, absurd.

These buses are bringing in hundreds of customers to the High Street shops, businesses, cafes and pubs every day.

Where better for bus stops to be located than on the High Street?

These buses generally have low emission “Euro 6” diesel engines.

Stagecoach drivers, I understand, are under strict instructions to switch off engines if standing for more than a short period and onboard “Green Road” sensors connected directly to the Perth depot, can monitor this.

The Stagecoach Perth/ Crieff/Comrie buses, for example, only operate twice hourly, in each direction, throughout the working day, so make up only a small proportion of the High Street vehicular traffic.

Private cars, on the other hand, proliferate on the High Street with only a small proportion, contrary to the claim in the article, likely to be equipped with stop/start technology which, incidentally, will only work under certain circumstances.

Perhaps, these are the main polluters?

Taxis also frequent this part of Crieff and where there are stances, in common with other Tayside towns.

Perhaps their drivers will be seen sitting with engines running for long periods.

Lastly, we have delivery lorries and vans, serving commercial premises all along the High Street adding to congestion and, yes, to local air pollution.

It is always easy to divert attention away from the private car user, toward an easy target, like buses, which are there for those without the use of the car or who choose to use them instead. Graeme Fraser. 41 Oxford Street, Dundee.

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Brexit has exposed deep (and I regret to say irreconcilable) fissures in our society and we are light years away from the fighting spirit and determination which the great man Churchill so ably identified and harvested within our nation