Don't put Glasgow's heritage under threat by building high
The proposed policy of tower clusters in areas outside the immediate centre is flawed unless you have back-up transport infrastructure. Anybody who has been to New York will know that at rush hour all the skyscrapers discharge people onto the street so that within minutes you can hardly move. The difference is they have the bus and underground systems that can rapidly disperse this mass of people.
On the Broomielaw I've seen people being discharged en masse from the high buildings along Atlantic Quay. They then try to cross to the Clyde Walkway whilst busy on their mobile phones. I've lost count of the near misses I've seen with buses.
Read more:
In economic terms, off-centre tall building clusters may attract new businesses to a deprived area but they also remove the clientele from the pubs and restaurants in the city centre. In extreme cases the latter will relocate. This may be good for regeneration but it's bad for critical mass.
To make things worse, the student blocks I've seen are badly designed, with minimal space standards, if any. That makes them difficult to adapt to alternate uses. This is relevant because there are an estimated 16,000 student places in the planning pipeline yet the current predicted need is only for 6,000 places.
With further restrictions on student immigration proposed, plus a decline in course options due to funding issues, then we are not only destroying the existing urban grain but we are also in danger of simply creating tomorrow's empty buildings.
In urban design terms, setting the towers back from the street facade to minimise their visual dominance fails to take into account the need for firefighting and escape via the tower core. This will require a protected tunnel to the street, thereby fragmenting any retail space at ground level. Retailers like Primark prefer large open plan areas to provide maximum flexibility, so that's another negative.
Building high is therefore not the answer. Renovate what's already there first. You can do that by getting the government to remove VAT on refurbishment in tandem with tax breaks. Then use these to provide the incentive for conserving Glasgow's unique heritage rather than put it under greater threat.
Robert Menzies, Falkirk.
Urgent case for defence reform
Introducing the Defence Review, the Prime Minister repeated words he heard in HMS Vanguard: 'nothing works unless we all work together.
Money is short. The Defence Secretary spoke of 'defence reform' and he should question the need for three services.
Most of the RAF's 30,000 personnel are in the UK, as are most of its 500 aircraft (including 46 support aircraft, 37 helicopters, 160 trainers, 90 gliders).
The RAF has 75% of all MoD aircraft and 50% of front-line aircraft, the other half Army or Navy. Only 20% of RAF personnel have flying duties, most of its 'aviators' are ground crew or support staff, yet 20% are officers – including 40 air marshals and 100 air commodores.
Most RAF operations support land forces, some support Maritime Britain. With sixty uniformed personnel for every aircraft, trainer and glider, the £10bn+ a year RAF, with its ten display teams, seems over-manned and under-employed. In times of plenty all this may be justifiable – it's not today.
Defence costs too much to maintain three services. Unsentimental re-organisation of HM Forces would help make them 'battle-ready', providing huge savings and advancing the government's 'Defence Dividend'. The two services would emerge leaner and more cost-effective and, importantly, be operationally more efficient with no loss of air capability.
'NATO first' would be better achieved by the UK being tasked as the principal maritime power in the eastern Atlantic, the land powers of the Continent providing the principal armies.
The Defence Review should prompt radical change here and in NATO.
Lester May (Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy – retired), Camden Town, London.
Great Scott? No, not really
Far from wondering why people wouldn't thank you for a set of Scott's novels, most of which are currently gathering dust on library shelves, I am mystified by the fact that they were ever popular ('Scotland's greatest novelist is the Great Unread', The Herald Magazine, May 31.)
Having read more of them than some of those who affect to esteem them are likely to have done, I can report that neglect is richly deserved. Rosemary Goring attributes the neglect to unfashionably great length, but this hasn't prevented Dickens from remaining popular with those who read books.
Ms Goring concludes the article by saying that Rob Roy had her hooked from the opening page. If you, sir, were to print the opening paragraphs of Rob Roy, I feel sure that most readers would join me in marvelling that anyone could find this to be page-turning stuff.
Scott compares to Dickens as Spenser does to Milton, Constable to Turner or Handel to Bach. Technically proficient though he was, his work belongs to its time, and no amount of harrumphing by aesthetic obscurantists will alter the fact he is now just a name in the history of literature.
Robin Dow, Rothesay.
Guiding Scotland to a really tough game
Horray for Scotland's magnificent victory over Liechtenstein (population somewhat less than Greenock). Let's hope that they can keep up the momentum. Perhaps they could squeeze in another demanding friendly before the World Cup. Mosspark Girl Guides might provide suitable opposition.
David Hay, Minard.
* Whatever has happened to the Scotland team over the last 12 months?
I know they had a few players missing through injury, that it has been a very long season, that the Iceland game last Friday was just a friendly, and that the substitute keeper has hardy played in months. Even so, it was a troublingly dire performance all round. Nothing can excuse it.
R Mackenzie, Edinburgh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
26 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
UK military bases on 'highest level' red alert after US bombing of Iran
The British armed forces are on the highest level of alert for drone strikes after the US bombing of Iran, the Defence Secretary has confirmed British forces stationed throughout the Middle East have been placed on heightened alert for potential drone strikes after the US airstrikes on Iran, as per Defence Secretary John Healey. Healey has affirmed that protection of UK Armed Forces is now at "highest level" amid escalating concerns that the US action might ignite a broader conflict, as published in The Telegraph. Since the strikes took place early Sunday morning, security measures at British bases in the Middle East have been significantly intensified, with staff preparing for the possibility of not only drone attacks but conventional rocket and missile assaults too. The increased state of alert also comes at a time of growing worry over threats to UK bases both domestically and abroad. On Saturday, a British national was apprehended in Cyprus under suspicion of conducting espionage on an RAF base for Iran, closely following an incident where two pro-Palestinian activists infiltrated RAF Brize Norton and caused damage to two planes, reports the Express. In his column for the newspaper on Sunday, Mr Healey penned: "The safety of UK personnel and bases is my top priority. Force protection is at its highest level, and we deployed additional jets this week." Senior defence officials are particularly cautious of the use of drones following an event where Ukrainian drones wreaked havoc on 40 Russian aircrafts –including those capable of carrying nuclear warheads– across Russia. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia's employment of Iranian-made Shahed drones has led to widespread power outages and significant destruction of infrastructure. The Shahed-136's explosive payload, originally designed to demolish buildings, can now also deliver lethal fragmentation or thermobaric blasts. Iran has recently deployed these drones against targets in Israel. Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer confirmed that additional RAF jets would be dispatched to the region to enhance security. British bases in the Middle East include RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, where 14 RAF jets are currently stationed, as well as naval hubs in Bahrain and Oman and shared airbases in Qatar and the UAE. Potential extra security measures could involve increasing armed guards, issuing live ammunition and deploying more radar systems. The US acted independently in its strikes on Iran, and so far Iran's threats of retaliation have been solely directed at America. It is understood that British bases are not yet preparing for any immediate, targeted attack, but the heightened alert reflects the broad range of threats - from rockets to improvised explosive devices - that UK forces could potentially face.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer and Trump call for Iran to return to negotiating table after US strikes
The Prime Minister spoke to the US President on Sunday night after an air raid by B-2 stealth bombers and a salvo of submarine-launched missiles hit Iran's nuclear facilities. Downing Street said the leaders agreed Tehran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and called for Iran to return to negotiations. 'The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and reiterated the grave risk posed by Iran's nuclear programme to international security,' Downing Street said. 'They discussed the actions taken by the United States last night to reduce the threat and agreed that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. 'They discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible and to make progress on a lasting settlement. 'They agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days.' Earlier, Sir Keir – whose previous calls for restraint appear to have been ignored by the American leader – said there was a 'risk of escalation', adding: 'That's a risk to the region. It's a risk beyond the region, and that's why all our focus has been on de-escalating, getting people back around to negotiate what is a very real threat in relation to the nuclear programme.' The UK was not involved in the US operation but there is the prospect of British forces being dragged into the conflict if Ayatollah Ali Khamenei orders a retaliation. Speaking to reporters at his Chequers country retreat he would not be drawn on whether Nato's mutual defence pact would apply if US forces were targeted. Sir Keir said 'we have taken all necessary measures to protect UK interests, UK personnel and to work with our allies to protect their interests as well'. Extra RAF Typhoon jets have already been moved to the region and Defence Secretary John Healey said 'force protection is at its highest level' following the US strikes. On a day of intense diplomatic activity, Sir Keir also held calls with the Sultan of Oman, the King of Jordan, Canada's Mark Carney and European counterparts Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz. Ministers from the E3 – the UK, France and Germany – had been involved in talks with Iran as recently as Friday as European allies sought to avoid further escalation in the Middle East. In a joint statement with the French president and German chancellor, Sir Keir said: 'We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke to his Iranian and Israeli counterparts 'to stress the need for de-escalation'. 'I urged a diplomatic, negotiated solution to end this crisis,' he said. The Foreign Office dismissed as 'inaccurate' a report by Iran's IRNA news agency that Mr Lammy 'expressed regret' over the US strikes. Mr Lammy also spoke to US secretary of state Marco Rubio and the foreign ministers of Egypt and Cyprus. The US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. According to details released by the Pentagon: Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER was a success. — DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) June 22, 2025 – The strikes, which had the codename Operation Midnight Hammer, involved more than 125 aircraft. – A complicated decoy operation was used, with one group of bombers flying west over the Pacific in a move widely documented on social media by aviation enthusiasts, while the 'strike package' of seven B-2s secretly flew east across the Atlantic. – During the 18-hour flight to Iran, the stealth bombers were refuelled several times then linked up with escort aircraft once over land. – At around 2.10am in Iran the first bunker-busting massive ordnance penetrator (Mop) bombs were dropped on Fordo. – A total of 14 Mops were dropped across two of the nuclear sites. – No Iranian shots were fired at the bombers during the mission. – A US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles at Isfahan, which struck the target after the B-2 raids to maintain the element of surprise. – The initial assessment is that 'all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction', chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Dan Caine said. Iran must never have a nuclear weapon. The US has now taken action to alleviate that threat. I've spoken today with my counterparts in Iran and Israel to stress the need for de-escalation. I urged a diplomatic, negotiated solution to end this crisis. — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 22, 2025 Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. 'Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. We should stand firmly with the US and Israel.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also backed Mr Trump's decision to strike Iran. He said: 'Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons, the future of Israel depends on it.' Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said 'robust diplomacy' was now needed to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat, adding: 'Following the US strikes, it is essential that we work to de-escalate the conflict and achieve that diplomatic solution.' Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for diplomacy, saying the Middle East conflict has reached 'an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran'. Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage against Israel in retaliation to the US action. The foreign ministry in Tehran issued a statement condemning 'the United States' brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities'. It added: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression.' Mr Trump said any retaliation would be met with 'force far greater' than that used in the initial strikes. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump said: 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!' The social media post marked a reversal from previous statements on regime change, including an earlier press conference from defence secretary Pete Hegseth, about the bombing on Iran's three nuclear sites.
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Sir Mark Rowley ‘shocked' at planned protest in support of Palestine Action
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner said a protest supporting the 'organised extremist criminal group' was due to take place in Westminster on Monday. He said until the group is proscribed the force has 'no power in law' to prevent the protest taking place, adding that breaches of the law would be 'dealt with robustly'. The act of vandalism committed at RAF Brize Norton is disgraceful. Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain and put their lives on the line for us every day. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 20, 2025 The Home Secretary will update Parliament on Monday on the Government's plan to ban Palestine Action following the group's vandalism of two planes at an RAF base. Yvette Cooper will provide MPs with more details on the move to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support it, in a written ministerial statement. The decision comes after the group posted footage online showing two people inside the base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. The clip shows one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine. The incident is being investigated by counter-terror police. In a statement on Sunday, Sir Mark said: 'I'm sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action. 'This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. 'Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft. Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences. 'The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it, but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest. 'Thousands of people attend protests of a different character every week without clashing with the law or with the police. The criminal charges faced by Palestine Action members, in contrast, represent a form of extremism that I believe the overwhelming majority of the public rejects. 'We have laid out to Government the operational basis on which to consider proscribing this group. If that happens we will be determined to target those who continue to act in its name and those who show support for it. 'Until then we have no power in law to prevent tomorrow's protest taking place. We do, however, have the power to impose conditions on it to prevent disorder, damage, and serious disruption to the community, including to Parliament, to elected representatives moving around Westminster and to ordinary Londoners. 'Breaches of the law will be dealt with robustly.' A spokesperson for Palestine Action previously accused the UK of failing to meet its obligation to prevent or punish genocide. The spokesperson said: 'When our Government fails to uphold their moral and legal obligations, it is the responsibility of ordinary citizens to take direct action. The terrorists are the ones committing a genocide, not those who break the tools used to commit it.' Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds said he could not rule out the possibility of a foreign power being behind Palestine Action. The Business and Trade Secretary told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'It is extremely concerning they gained access to that base and the Defence Secretary is doing an immediate review of how that happened. 'The actions that they undertook at Brize Norton were also completely unacceptable and it's not the first. It's the fourth attack by that group on a key piece of UK defence infrastructure.' The Home Secretary has the power to proscribe an organisation under the Terrorism Act of 2000 if she believes it is 'concerned in terrorism'. Don't forget about Gaza. While the world is distracted, almost 400 people – queueing for food – have been gunned down by Israeli forces. You don't accidentally kill 400 people waiting for aid, they have been deliberately massacred. The UK must end all arms sales to Israel now. — Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) June 19, 2025 Proscription will require Ms Cooper to lay an order in Parliament, which must then be debated and approved by both MPs and peers. Some 81 organisations have been proscribed under the 2000 Act, including Islamist terrorist groups such as Hamas and al Qaida, far-right groups such as National Action, and Russian private military company the Wagner Group. Former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer said vandalising aircraft at RAF Brize Norton would not solely provide legal justification for proscribing the group. Asked whether the group's actions were commensurate with proscription, Lord Falconer told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'I am not aware of what Palestine Action has done beyond the painting of things on the planes in Brize Norton, they may have done other things I didn't know. 'But generally, that sort of demonstration wouldn't justify proscription so there must be something else that I don't know about.' Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf said the Government was 'abusing' anti-terror laws against pro-Palestine activists, as tens of thousands of protesters marched in London on Saturday. Belonging to or expressing support for a proscribed organisation, along with a number of other actions, are criminal offences carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Home Secretary @YvetteCooperMP is banning Palestine Action. We are pleased that the Home Secretary has listened to our representations over the last week. Nobody should be surprised that those who vandalised Jewish premises with impunity have now been emboldened to sabotage RAF… — Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) June 20, 2025 The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) welcomed the news that Ms Cooper intended to proscribe Palestine Action, saying: 'Nobody should be surprised that those who vandalised Jewish premises with impunity have now been emboldened to sabotage RAF jets.' Former home secretary Suella Braverman also said it was 'absolutely the correct decision'. A pro-Palestine protester at Saturday's march in central London said it was 'absolutely horrendous' that the Government was preparing to ban Palestine Action. Artist Hannah Woodhouse, 61, told the PA news agency: 'Counter-terrorism measures, it seems, are being used against non-violent peace protesters. 'The peace activists are trying to do the Government's job, which is to disarm Israel.' Palestine Action has staged a series of demonstrations in recent months, including spraying the London offices of Allianz Insurance with red paint over its alleged links to Israeli defence company Elbit, and vandalising Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
