Letters: Lesley's alt-facts over city speed restrictions

I have just finished watching Cllr Lesley Hinds being interviewed on Facebook about the introduction of further 20mph areas in Edinburgh.
Councillor Lesley Hinds promoting 20mph schemes in Edinburgh. Picture; Greg MacveanCouncillor Lesley Hinds promoting 20mph schemes in Edinburgh. Picture; Greg Macvean
Councillor Lesley Hinds promoting 20mph schemes in Edinburgh. Picture; Greg Macvean

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Her similarity to US President Donald Trump with their failure to accept any opinion or fact that does not agree with their ambitions is quite startling.

Example 1: I have spoken with a number of taxi and bus drivers and have yet to meet one who supports the 20mph restrictions. Taxi drivers are concerned that their earnings are being affected as a result of the frustration of passengers missing appointments due to the restrictions. Cllr Hinds’ answer is to laugh, shrug and tell people they should take the bus.

Example 2: a car journey at 30mph takes 10 minutes and produces 10 units of pollution; same car, same journey at 20mph takes 15 minutes and would surely produce 15 units of pollution. This is logical, but no, Cllr Hinds states there is “no proof” that travelling for a longer time produces increased pollution, in fact it “reduces pollution”.

Example 3: congestion has increased within central Edinburgh say taxi, bus and delivery drivers, yet the councillor insists that “congestion has and will continue to be reduced as a direct result of the 20mph restrictions”.

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Example 4: Cllr Hinds states 22,000 people support the 20mph limit. This is less than 5% of Edinburgh’s population of 498,960. Like the presidential inauguration numbers in America, just because you say something over and over again does not make it an accurate or true account.

Like the financial debacle of the trams, in years to come facts, not alt-facts, will show how we, the public, were and continue to be duped.

Mr K Clark, Edinburgh