Letters to the Editor

Sir - I read with interest the plans for the Airedale region (T&A June 11). My husband and I moved from Surrey six months ago after ten years in a desirable but busy commuter belt.

We are so pleased to have come back to West Yorkshire.

After initial disappointment at not being able to afford what we wanted around Leeds, we settled on Keighley.

What a surprise. Keighley has proved to be the well-kept secret of Airedale - out of the hectic city life of Leeds and Bradford, yet easily accessible to both.

Fantastic new rolling stock on the railways (my husband particularly loves the bike racks as he cycles to his job in Headingley).

Stunning views meet the eye and the townsfolk will not let you run your errands without stopping for a chat first!

Keighley has a sense of pride, a unique identity and character that sets it apart from its neighbours.

I am all in favour of making Airedale a more attractive place to live and work, but let's make sure we get it right.

Let's not turn Keighley into a clone of other towns, where too often and too late we realise what we have lost in our efforts to 'regenerate'!

Jo Crompton, Uplands, Utley, Keighley.

Not good for city

Sir - I have to concur with Iain Morris (T&A, June 9) that Bradford's proposed new bridge is a bridge too far and the accompanying architecture second rate.

Furthermore, it has not been encouraging to realise there has been very little other criticism in the letters pages, and even the T&A, usually pro excellence in design and the environment, seems to back the idea.

This is the single most important development in Bradford yet most Bradfordians seem to be more interested in their local football team.

There is a realisation that cities have to be beautified, elegant and above all green to encourage not only shoppers to visit the city but others who hitherto would not have come who want to feel at ease in their surroundings.

What is proposed is a modern version of the infamous Arndale centres, adding two more walkways within the city centre and, as a sop to the people, two small windswept squares.

The scheme is being led by a council who will succumb to pressure from the developers who want to squeeze as many concessions as they can to maximise profits.

For the future of Bradford lets hope the people can be as passionate about their city as their football team.

Peter Turner, Harlow Moor Drive, Harrogate

Turn back clock

Sir - It's about time the government held a meeting to deal with crime on our streets - town-centre crime especially.

Why do government officials continually say that crime is coming down when officially crime is on the increase and getting worse all the time?

I think someone in this government should listen to public opinion on crime and bring back the cane in schools and the law of self-defence.

As the laws governing behaviour now stand, anything goes.

By changing the laws back to where they were in the Fifties, young ones would have to behave or reap the consequences of disobedience.

It could also stop the inevitable crime waves consuming our country.

Bill Hudson, Woodvale Close, Tyersal

Great bank con

Sir - Welcome to the Great Loan Rate Con.

Apply for a loan to - the BANKS. Loans approved by - the BANKS. Rates set by - the BANKS. Consumer debt increased by - the BANKS. Who benefits from increased interest rates? - the BANKS.

Enough said?

John Stephenson, Harrogate Road, Eccleshill.

Help for sufferers

SIR - RSD, 'Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy' or CRPS, 'Complex Regional Pain Syndrome', has until recently been a medical condition which has been poorly understood and difficult to diagnose.

However, due to the recent advancement within the medical profession, these disorders are becoming more well known and the symptoms more easily recognisable by the medical professionals.

Diagnosis of the condition is a step forward for the sufferer but the help and support for those diagnosed with this rather complex disorder is still rather poor.

While there exists several internet support groups, on the whole those patients without access to the facility can find themselves isolated.

Having myself been diagnosed with RSD, and knowing the frustration the condition can cause, I have, along with several other sufferers, launched 'RSD-Forum', a free-to-join, non-profitable group where those having been diagnosed are able to communicate with other sufferers, by whatever means they may prefer.

If any of your readers, having been diagnosed with either of the conditions mentioned, would like further information regarding 'RSD-ARENA' they can do so by either writing to: RSD-ARENA, 77 Weardale Avenue, South Bents, Sunderland, SR6 8AU (please include a large SAE) or visit www.rsd-arena.co.uk.

Pete Dyke, Redwood Glen, Burncross, Sheffield.

Trolley bus facts

SIR - Re the report (T&A, June 7) by Jennifer Sugden stating that there was a time when Bradford ran more than 350 trolley buses.

I agree with W E Fothergill (T&A, June 12) that this is incorrect.

According to my records, just over 200 was the maximum at any one time.

However, Bradford was the first authority to run trolley buses, and the last. It was one of the largest fleets in the country and probably the most efficient.

The Duckworth Lane service had the best-frequency in the country - every two minutes at peak times.

For detailed and accurate information about Bradford trolley buses, I would recommend the several books by (Councillor) J S King.

Paul Stephenson, Cliffe Gardens, Shipley.

Leeds in disguise?

Sir - I am somewhat bemused by the comments from supporters of Park Avenue, currently playing at Horsfall playing fields.

Is this the same club, formed in Leeds several years ago, at Bramley, or Batley? If so, what right does a local league outfit have to comment on Bradford's only professional football club and the city's support for that club?

Park Avenue, as a Leeds-formed outfit, are well entitled to cast aspersions in the direction of our cousins east of Pudsey. Comments on Bradford sport should remain the domain of Bradfordians, so off you all jolly well go.

Tony Kenny, Ronald Drive, Bradford.