I AM all for the redevelopment and reuse of the former Caledonia Road Church (Evening Times, September 1).

But as an architect I am quite astounded that those in the Alexander Thomson Society commissioning this new work can find anything likeable about the modern, cubist, white, box-like structure that appears to be the chosen design option.

This will be Glasgow's own 'monstrous carbuncle'.

Why do modern architects stick to straight lines, simple boxes, and ill-fated flat roofs? The best thing about the proposed new addition is that it will be invisible from the front of the church, the new building will be lost. Great news, as it looks awful.

The quality of the proposals would have Alexander 'Greek' Thomson spinning in his grave. No mastery here now. Just more bland, nondescript, modern rubbish, for passing motorists to wonder at.

One hundred and fifty three years after the original church was built, and this is the best we can come up with? I despair! ALAN McGILLVERAY, Anderston Get a text alert

THERE was an easy way to avoid Tuesday's so-called 'rail chaos'. It's simple - all you need to do is register with First ScotRail's 'Text Alert' service.

I got a text at 7.46am on Tuesday, telling me what trains were cancelled or delayed - then I adjusted my journey accordingly. Just take some responsibility for yourselves, for goodness sake. TRAVELOCITY, Glasgow Get MSPs off road

AT the launch of Greener Travel Week, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "Greener travel is good for the environment and good for your health." This from a woman who failed to take the train to any one of her official engagements last year.

Like Nicola Sturgeon, Kenny MacAskill, Fiona Hyslop and other Cabinet ministers, they prefer to travel by ministerial limousine instead of the environmentally-friendly train when on official business.

Lazy MSPs have also been criticised for excessive use of taxis from Waverley Station to Holyrood - a 10-minute walk.

Mr Salmond should instruct his ministers to use public transport and cut back on public-funded limos. After all, as Ms Cunningham says, it will be good for their health. JR, Eastwood Truth on Megrahi

NEVER mind the fact that 100-watt lightbulbs are vanishing from the shops. Let's focus a spotlight on Westminster.

The truth about the Megrahi release is emerging as a New Labour ploy to get oil from Libya.

Result? Kenny MacAskill copping the flak for a decision cooked up by Blair and Co.

Tavish Scott and the opposition in Holyrood should stop trying to score cheap political points against the Justice Secretary and concentrate on pouring their bile on No 10.

The truth is emerging and I hope our friends across the pond see it for what it is - a cynical ploy to get oil and pass the buck. It's a just a pity that, unlike in America, we cannot impeach our leaders, past and present. A LINDSAY, Glasgow Campaign thanks

THE Pinkston Tenants' Association and Sighthill Community Council would like to say a huge thank-you to the staff from Tesco St Rollox for turning out in the rain on Monday to help tenants with the Clean up Sighthill' campaign.

It was a huge boost to the effort and very much appreciated.

Thanks again! PINKSTON TENANTS' ASSOC AND SIGHTHILL COMMUNITY COUNCIL WRITE: Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. Please include your name and address. E-MAIL: letters@eveningtimes.co.uk Please include postal address. TEXT: key in the word 'etletters', leave a space then send your comments to 88010. Max 160 characters. Please include your name or initials and where you're from. Texts cost 25p at all times. HOT TOPIC: Pedal power will always win at rush hour

IS anyone surprised by this result? At rush hour the bicycle will win every time, at quieter times the car. Around the city centre at peak times, walking would beat the car and bus too. THE THINKING ALTERNATIVE, City centre Bike beats train and bus

I CYCLE in every day - rain or shine.

Decent waterproofs make all the difference, and there's a strange pleasure to be had from ploughing through the occasional wet commute. And it really is occasional - given the four-seasons-in-one-day weather we get.

My 25 minute door-to-door cycle beats the train by at least 10 minutes, and the bus by 20. COPYBOY, Glasgow Driven off my bike

I USED to cycle from the West End to Kirkie, mostly along the banks of the canal from Cadder. I could do it in well under an hour, and that was on an old boneshaker.

I now have a modern bike (£500) which I hardly use due to the number of junkies who hang about by the canal.

Are electric bikes making a comeback? I've seen some in catalogues. WILD WADI, Kirkie Rail is right way to work

ANYONE for the train? Newton Mearns (Whitecraigs) to Central takes about 20 minutes at the most, then a 5 or 10 minute walk to wherever you're going in town? Posted online Cycle in? On yer bike!

IF I lived in California, I might think about having a bike for a bit of recreation, but biking to work in the West of Scotland? No thanks!

Sitting all day with helmet hair and being all sweaty is not my idea of a good start to the day. And sitting beside someone who is stinking of sweat after cycling to work is no fun either. LOIS GRIFFIN, Glasgow Drivers are a menace

I GAVE up cycling to work after being knocked off my bike twice in the space of a week. Thank God for helmets!

I've ridden all over the world, from New York to Ghana and the Outback, but the car drivers in Glasgow are some of the most selfish I've ever seen - idiots! LANCE McARMSTRONG, Via e-mail