@Anth: Yeah, in this case it's clearly to do with the contractors, I was just feeling a bit annoyed by the feebleness in general of the city! Especially when I saw these signs at two different roadworks.
I'm not sure the metaphor works well regarding the defence minister - they're considerably more distant from purchasing decisions etc. The transport convenor is the equivalent of an officer, or something. They're much closer to the ground & need to make quite direct decisions (e.g. whether to introduce a 20mph speed limit, whether parking cars on-top of bike lanes is a good idea, etc). The minister for transport merely needs to point money at different projects and not worry about the implementation details.
Still, maybe I went a bit far, I see your point that IF they're a good enough listener and can reflect other people's opinions then they would do a good job - indeed I guess that's the role of politicians.
She didn't seem to think the fact she was too frightened to cycle was a serious issue... speaking to her at the bike breakfast last year didn't give me much hope: E.g. She didn't seem to get how important infrastructure like a segregated cycle lane up Leith walk would help in making it nicer/safer for cyclists, but maybe I caught her at a bad time.
On the more general point, regarding being 'good listeners' etc. I think it's important politicians do more than that: It's never clear what to do when a majority threatens a minority (e.g. trying to get the government to follow up on its report into discrimination against Scottish Gypsy Travellers has been very slow).
@kaputnik: Good point it could be a lot worse!
Thanks all - I think I've had my mind changed a little :)
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