Broad Street not a good venue for fair

SIR, – It’s that time of year again when the city council finalise plans for Aberdeen’s much-lookedforward-to Christmas Fair.

Once again it is to be held on the revamped Broad Street, but when all is said and done, is this really the best we can do? Perhaps it is.

After all, Union Terrace is out of the question because the diverted

Broad Street traffic needs to access Union Street somehow.

The Castlegate may be considered too off-centre and Union Terrace Gardens, particularly in winter, has access problems.

So Broad Street it is. This has the sole advantage of justifying the amount of money showered on this most expensive piece of roadway.

It’s an example of not thinking ahead and painting yourself into a corner as a result.

Let’s face it – Broad Street is not suitable for such a venue.

It’s far too small and apparently problems may arise from noise and flashing lights disturbing the occupants of the offices and businesses on either side.

Going by the previous two efforts, they do not compare in any way to the Christmas fairs in either Edinburgh or Glasgow. As a measure of our success I have heard that many Aberdonians are going to these two cities instead.

Much has been spoken about the “Masterplan” and Marischal Square is part of it.

It ought to be torn up and looked at again with fresh and – more importantly – different eyes. SIR, – Parliament will be sovereign when Brussels returns every control surrendered by Parliament.

Until then, Britain is a vassal state with everyone, from the Queen down, a vassal.

Theresa May’s plan to follow the European Union rule book is not taking back every control.