Talk to patients
Green MSP Mark Ruskell seems to conflate lower vehicle speed with less emissions, in an attempt to support his bill to introduce countrywide 20mph limits, when, in actual fact, the opposite is the case.
There are two simple factors that are difficult to dispute: when vehicles are driven slowly, engines are less efficient; and, a ten-mile journey at 30mph takes 20 minutes, and the same journey at 20mph takes 30 minutes, producing emissions for 50 per cent more time.
The way to drastically decrease emissions, especially NO2 and particulates, is to minimise braking and accelerating, ensuring traffic flow is smooth, which, probably much to the angst of Mr Ruskell, may be best achieved by higher and minimally varying speed on main arterial roads.
For the record, I support 20mph limits in residential areas and have often voted for the Green Party in various elections. It was interesting to read the research from Edinburgh University revealing women who have survived cancer in the past 30 years are a third less likely to become pregnant (your report, 4 July). It shines a light on the urgent need for a conversation between women and their treatment team about fertility preservation following a diagnosis of breast cancer. At Breast Cancer Care we speak to women all the time who are frustrated by the lack of information on fertility.
Our research suggests around half of younger women diagnosed with breast cancer have no discussions with healthcare professionals about fertility preservation options. This missed opportunity can be devastating for women who want a chance to have a child or extend their family after breast cancer.
It is crucial women feel empowered to make informed decisions. We need to ensure there is a more integrated approach so oncologists and fertility specialists can work together to make this a reality. NICOLAS WHITE Head of Scotland Breast Cancer Care Bath Street, Glasgow spreading as fast it did at Grenfell it is unlikely to be able to save all lives throughout the block. The installation in itsself would be very disruptive and entail breaking through party floors and walls, requiring much work to restore fire safety. It is probable each block would need to be cleared of occupants.
For experts to say the cost of installation to 300 tower blocks would be £100 million is ludicrous. I wonder if they did not mean to say the cost of installation in each block would be £100m, which is more likely to be the reality. If that were the case in 300 tower blocks the size of of Grenfell, each with 120 flats, it could cost a total of £300m.
The real question is why have regulations allowed the construction of residential buildings in which fire appliances cannot reach above the 9th floor?