Letters to the Editor

SIR - It's 10pm on a Monday night in March. It's cold outside, it's raining and it's the official start of the fireworks season in Bradford. The mad people are at it again and it's only eight months until Bonfire Night.

Why? I suppose we can rule out pre-Easter celebrations...

As I suspected, no amount of so-called curfew legislation will stop these anti-social people who demonstrate their deep personal and social inadequacies through making big bangs.

It's so "look at me" and would be sad if it wasn't so irritating. Here's an idea. How about ASBOs for them?

It would improve the quality of my life far more than nailing the drivers who throw cigarette butts out of their car window, while talking on a mobile phone as they do 31mph in a 30mph zone, despicable though those crimes are.

Andrew Milne, Randall Place, Heaton

Hear our voice

SIR - Re the recent suggestion of the future demolition of Bradford's Police Headquarters and also Bradford Central Library in favour of Will Alsop's futuristic plans for the city, Heaven forbid!

Perhaps we have been misinformed and his real name is Aesop not Alsop. In that case we could regard it as a fable indeed rather than the fevered brainchild of a supposedly reputable architect.

Apparently some credence has been given to the New Yorkers' praise for his efforts - however, I suspect this is merely a cloak for their true opinion - NIMBY!

As for The Lake, the only useful purpose it could serve would be for a ducking or other aquatic high jinks for the powers-that-be who countenanced this hare-brained scheme.

The T&A's request (March 8) for readers' views on the city's ugliest buildings omits one dire monstrosity, which amazingly is still with us - the "Norman Keep" opposite Morrison's in Westgate.

It is galling to recall the beautiful buildings which have perished in the recent past as a sacrifice to the profusion of bars and clubs - a sop to the drinking classes but more likely a future blight on the city's law-and-order scenario.

Listen to the people!

Derek Mozley, Moorhead Terrace, Shipley.

What we deserve

SIR - Ray Wilkes (Letters, March 16) suggests that pensioners are robbing the young by receiving concessionary fares. We have worked for our pensions, hopefully to see us through our declining years.

In 1948 when the NHS came in we were under the impression that our old age would be taken care of through paying NI stamps, and we paid them willingly.

Is it being taken care of? Yes, up to a point. I for one am grateful for the concessionary fares. Other parts of the country have had free travel for senior citizens for some time. Why not us in West Yorkshire? Also my children and grandchildren work hard and I am not under the impression that I am robbing them.

And yes, we pensioners have got increasing voting power and we use it as we choose because we have earned the right to do so.

Mrs Zeila Fleming, Bretton Court, Buttershaw.

Long hospital wait

SIR - They keep telling us that things are getting better in hospitals. My grand-daughter had an accident towards the end of school on Friday, March 18.

The school strapped up her left wrist. When she got home her mum took her to A&E at the BRI.

It was 4pm when she arrived. They took her strapping off, looked at it and told her to wait, so she did. No painkillers or anything.

After four hours she was finally X-rayed. She waited another half hour to see doctor to be told it was broken in two places. She had been left in a lot of pain up to it eventually being potted.

They left the hospital at 10pm after six hours in pain and they try to tell us it's getting better? I don't think so.

B A Spiers, Victoria Road, Eccleshill.

Out of touch...

SIR - Phil Davies favours regular consultation with public opinion via computer (T&A, March 17). Both he and his leader Michael Howard constantly speak against so-called 'political correctness'.

The other day that campaign ran into trouble when Howard criticised the ban on handguns brought in after the 1996 Dunblane school massacre. He also denied the need for an airgun ban.

I'm sure Shipley voters would like to know whether Mr.Davies supports his leader over these two issues. I suspect that this might be another issue where the opinion polls he would like to ditch in favour of e-votes, would tell him that the public aren't thinking what he is!

Quentin Deakin (Green Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Shipley), Newark Road, Crossflatts, Bingley

Road tax solution

SIR - I agree entirely with the lady who recently wrote in regarding vehicles on the road without a road fund licence. Surely the answer is to do away with it altogether, then there are no tax dodgers and no costs involved to the public.

This system works well in Jersey and France. Also a windscreen sticker is provided to show the vehicle is insured and

MoT'd. By doing this the authorities can see at a glance which vehicles are on the road illegally

Jeffrey Mann, Torchamp, France

A job well done

SIR - I would like to give a big thank you to all the volunteers who took time on a Saturday morning to plant snowdrop, crocus and daffodil bulbs on the village green in Wyke last autumn, and in previous years. As I have walked passed the green this week they have been a riot of colour and a real picture.

So once again thanks for spending time (in the rain sometimes) planting these bulbs to transform the green in springtime for everyone to enjoy.

Mrs G Kitson, Westfield Lane, Wyke.