Letters to the Editor

SIR - I think the 'Buy it in Bradford' campaign is an excellent starting block to launch Bradford into the 21st century!

Yes, it may take a very long time to catch up to Leeds but Bradford could and should have a much more vibrant city centre.

The most important factor is going to be support from locals, so many different cultures have the opportunity to come together and really make a better name for Bradford.

It's your city and each and every person can take action to help make a real difference.

Catherine Mullaney, The Avenue, Birstall

City's downfall

SIR - I feel too little, too late, is the answer to your campaign to support Bradford shops.

Most of the private shops which make city centre shopping more attractive have already gone.

Good luck to The Lighthouse on Hall Ings or Everything but the Cook for trying in spite of their obvious difficulties.

In spite of their rhetoric the city's big property owners such as Bradford Council, the Co-operative Society and the Prudential are all very greedy landlords.

This seems to be Bradford's downfall, boarded-up graffiti-hit properties and every other shop a charity shop. Is this to be Bradford's image? I will continue to shop in Leeds thank you.

Mrs E Neale, Gordon Terrace, Sherborne Road, Idle.

Licence objections

SIR - Michelle Potter fails to see the point (T&A, February 23). She needs to walk several hundred yards down Knowles Lane to notice Knowleswood Primary and about the same distance along Tong Street to find St Columba's Primary.

There are two further primary schools in the neighbourhood, not forgetting two upper schools at Westgate Hill. Each school day several hundred children walk and commute to and from these schools.

I raised concerns for the welfare of local children. Any caring parent appreciates this fact.

I admire her honesty in defending the shop. Does she understand the manner in which Pulse & Cocktails obtained its licence?

Did she realise that there was such strong objection from neighbours, the public and senior heads of our community that councillors took three hours to deliberate the matter?

Bradford Council got its priorities clear in that it put business ahead of child protection. If this public outcry has proven anything, then it has demonstrated how people feel about how, why and when the licensing committee operates.

The Council made the decision and accepts the risks. It might suffer the consequences should this worst-case scenario develop.

Michael Maguire, Sticker Lane, Dudley Hill, Bradford.

Green solution

SIR - Peter Wilson is right to observe that the state of the economy has a big influence on people's voting (T&A, February 23).

However, he draws the wrong conclusion. It's one reason why many won't be voting Labour or Tory, because Airedale isn't the success story claimed.

With six-and-a-half per cent unemployment, we have the worst figures in the region. The service sector has grown while manufacturing has all but vanished. Small farmers are giving up. Many jobs in retail and hospitality are part-time and low-paid. Nationally, personal debt is at record levels.

The Green Party would safeguard local jobs and create more full-time employment. We would promote green manufactures, recycling and the grocery sector, sourced from local organic farms.

Our investment in public transport would create jobs for conductors and railway station staff. Construction jobs would come from the building of the central cross-rail link and reopening lost suburban lines.

We would employ more front-line workers in our schools, health and community police services. In short, I believe we need significantly higher investment for the public good rather than for private profit.

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

The best deal

SIR - I am disappointed that Mr K Robinson of Queensbury (T&A, February 26) considers Metro's new concessionary fare scheme to be a "petty" method of "pushing pensioners aside".

As explained previously, our scheme is in fact the most generous in Yorkshire and the best that council tax payers can afford.

Also, it would be unfair for concessionary travel to be allowed before 9.30am, as workers and schoolchildren who need to be at their school or place of work on time are entitled to priority.

As for bus access to the John Street area, there was a Shophopper service from the Interchange until last year, when it had to be withdrawn through lack of use.

However, despite Mr Robinson's fears, we do not lack vision, and are willing to examine any realistic ways of boosting shopping and accessibility in Bradford.

May I also assure Mr G Healy of Evans Towers that the Council has no plans to construct either a canal or a swamp. These are ideas put forward by consultants, and form no part of Council policy.

As for the oft-discussed cross-city rail link, it would be paid for by the Government, not Bradford council tax payers.

Councillor Stanley King, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, Wellington Street, Leeds.

All Blair's fault

SIR - They say the first casualty of war is truth - and under this Prime Minister, that was effectively blown to smithereens before the troops ever set foot in Iraq.

As the toll of daily car bombings and carnage continues to mount, Mr Blair should come clean and tell us whether No 10 leaned on the Attorney General or not to legitimise the reasons for invading in the first place.

This is particularly crucial at a time when Labour are trying to introduce a new law that will empower the government /police to hold terror suspects under house arrest without trial.

In justifying this Bill, Mr Blair says there are several hundred terrorists currently in the UK simply waiting for the opportunity to blow us all to kingdom come.

Well, whose fault is that? If the UK has become a prime target for acts of terrorism then it's down to Mr Blair. As his actions are now placing UK citizens in danger. He owes us a public statement.

Liz Balding, Ellar Carr Road, Cullingworth.

Put hospitals first

SIR - Regarding the article (T&A, February 24) about the £1.8 million cost of the lifting of stones to above Malham Cove to revitalise a footpath. For those who are able to walk, some of this money I understand to have come from lottery handouts.

What about those people unable to walk? Wouldn't it be nice to find that the same amount could be allocated to hospitals, such as the BRI which is short of money, and would be able, with this money, to carry out its good work?

Frank Stead, Dorchester Crescent, Shipley.

Health hazard?

SIR - Before proceeding with Will Alsop's schemes for lakes and wetlands, might I suggest that it would be prudent to check for the incidence of contaminated land.

That part of Bradford, especially alongside the beck, was the site of many dye works which before the days of health and safety disgorged noxious chemicals.

Could some still be there? The beck is still classed as a health hazard.

John Pashley, Westcliffe Avenue, Baildon.

A great idea

SIR - I would like to say to MP Chris Leslie that his idea of having MPs aged 18 is an extremely well-thought-out one. I for one would be interested if there was a chance of getting involved in any way possible

Israr Ahmad, Masham Place, Bradford.