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Cave - April 2005
When cycling or walking from Weem to Aberfeldy I frequently cross the Tay by the Wade Bridge. In the past few weeks and months, this involved greeting the men of Castle Construction on the way by. They did seem to be there for a very long time, but given it was winter, that is not surprising. They were not shy of being out in some of the worst weather, either, but you cannot do a lot of lime mortaring – which takes three weeks to dry – in a deluge. I think they have made a great job of it and deserve our congratulations.
However, the problem of pedestrians and cyclists mixing on this narrow road remains. Probably the only real solution is to have a foot and cycle bridge erected but given the probable cost, that is an improbable outcome, at least in the short term. There is no doubt that a dedicated strip of coloured bitumen for walkers and cyclists would help and so, very much, would a maximum speed-limit of, say 15 or 20 mph. The traffic lights simply do not work for cyclists, even if one can comprehend and follows the complicated notice about crossing incised diamonds and things (no foreigner, unless very fluent in English, has a hope!), because the phasing is too short, especially if crossing from north to south. |
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I was pleased to see that one of the Community Councils is taking up the matter of extending the pavement from part-way along the poplar avenue right round to Weem, because, if the Bridge is hazardous to cyclists, the lack of a pavement is even more so to pedestrians. This road is now so busy and so many drivers love to speed down the straight, that it is probably only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
It would be good to see some speedy action taken on both of these matters.
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I hope that many people have been sickened, as I have, by recent attacks by the gutter press and the leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, on Gypsy Travellers. The distortion of the facts has been, if not unprecedented, certainly comprehensive.
It is not my place or intention to defend wrongdoing by any member of the public, be they Gypsy Travellers or any other group. And there is no doubt that some Gypsy Travellers do leave rubbish behind, just as there is no doubt that some members of the settled population fly-tip at sites where Travellers are, or have just left, knowing full well who will be blamed. There may also be a very small proportion of Gypsy Travellers who occasionally trespass and camp illegally. Most however, including those ranted against by the scum press and Mr Howard, are guilty only of unauthorised camping. It is unauthorised because planning permission, though sought, has usually not been obtained but – is very often taking place on land that the Gypsy Travellers actually own!
It was Mr Howard who, as Home Secretary in 1994, repealed the law requiring local authorities to make provision for our nomadic community. Gypsy Travellers were then encouraged to buy land for themselves, which many did. Only, when they came to seek permission to live on it, 90% of the planning applications were rejected. Among the settled community, that figure is 18%. Hardly seems like justice or ‘treating everybody the same’ does it?
The worst aspect of the matter is that the low and bigoted section that still exists in our society has been stirred up by these, at times overtly, racist statements. Unleashing dark forces like that, even if extant in a tiny minority, can cause tremendous harm. Even peaceful Gypsy Traveller friends of mine, living far from the confrontations that have been reported in the south, have noticed a marked increase in racist remarks being made and some are now genuinely afraid of being attacked.
Kevin McNamara MP may have been over the top in describing Howard’s tirade as having “a whiff of the gas chamber about it” but it must be remembered that the exploitation of racism and intolerance was exactly what the Nazis used, to achieve power. It is shameful that there are people in our society today who still voice such poisonous views. It is extremely alarming that we now have people in politics and the media who find that road attractive.
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By the time you read this edition of Comment we shall probably be facing a General Election and by the time I next look out from the cave, we shall know by whom we are to be ruled. The choice offered has never in my lifetime been a more dispiriting and dismaying one.
I am fortunate though. Since becoming a Bahá’i, I have not had to choose between the grim extremes of party politics because voting for political parties is essentially forbidden. I quote: “[B]elievers locally, in different parts of the world, often feel that their political party is in many ways striving to accomplish ideals akin to our Bahá’í aims—but the fact remains that the only way for the Bahá’ís to preserve their international character, their unity and integrity, is for them individually to sacrifice these desired political affiliations for the universal good and protection of the Faith. There is no political party in existence with whose platform we wholly agree, and we must abstain from membership in such parties. Likewise people who join the Faith must have the courage and conviction to leave their political affiliations behind.” Further: “…there is very little possibility of any politician joining the Faith. The sacrifice of such individuals’ personal ambitions is too great a one for them to make. The condition of the world today is such that it is obvious no political solution to its problems is going to be found.” [My italics] So with regard to political parties I believe: “…that which is the greatest policy directing the world of mankind, nay, rather, the Divine policy, is found in the teachings of His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh.”
That does not mean you have to believe, of course but far from being subversive, the Faith also says: “Furthermore each and every one is required to show obedience, submission and loyalty towards his own government. Today no state in the world is in a condition of peace or tranquillity, for security and trust have vanished from among the people.” How sad that last sentence but how true…..
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Finally… for anyone who has not travelled over the hill and down Strathbraan lately, I suggest that on your next trip you do, for ASWAG have some new posters up – and they are stunningly eye-catching
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