Letters to the Editor

I was absolutely speechless to read that they had written to Transco, after getting complaints about delays, asking them to ensure that the lights were manned at peak periods and phased appropriately. What were they waiting for? Why didn't they phone?

Why did they let Transco operate such lights without ensuring they enabled traffic to move as smoothly as possible in the circumstances? Don't the people at Transco drive cars? Couldn't they see the effect the lights were having? Why didn't they do something about it without the Council having to write to them? Will the Council ensure that Transco staff get some training before being allowed to install such lights on another busy main road in Bradford?

If Transco can't operate lights efficiently, what chance have we that the work they are doing will be correct and they won't be back shortly to dig it all up again?

Keith Pickles, Delph Drive, Clayton.

SIR - We were in a funeral cortege on October 21, heading to Bowling Cemetery, and caught up in stationary traffic at roadworks nearby when we noticed two workmen remove their hard hats and stand quietly and respectfully until we moved on. We also noticed a workman making the sign of the cross.

Thank you, those people, for such lovely gestures; it was most appreciated and it is very encouraging to see such old religious practices still being observed in Bradford.

The deceased, Winnie Richards, aged 90, was a long-standing Bradford teacher. She would have been very pleased.

I Hockridge, Emerson Avenue, Middlesbrough.

SIR - Entirely predictably, some of the members of the unelected House of Lords have attempted to thwart the will of our elected representatives in the Commons - including our local MPs - as well as the majority in the country over the bill to criminalise bloodsports.

Thankfully, we live in a democracy and, of course, constitutionally the will of the Commons must eventually prevail as, no doubt, your animal-loving readers will continue to remind their MPs at the House of Commons, London SW1 0AA.

One of their lordships actually had the sauce to refer to the huge majority of those MPs supporting this long-awaited reform as "irresponsible." That leads me to think he could join a couple of lady dancers to form "The Cheeky Girls and a Cheeky Lord" or am I letting my imagination run away with me?

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.

SIR - It's great that Bradford planners are now looking at the long-term future of the city but a pity they didn't have the same views when deciding on the grey tin box off Vicar Lane and the A650!

Now it's time to let everyone know that, in future, Bradford will mean sustainable business, not just fast bucks for the nomadic property developers of old.

Nigel Guy, Lexington Close, Bierley.

SIR - I was pleased to see in your supplement, Vision for Bradford, Councillor Margaret Eaton's comment that the city centre masterplan is not set in stone (T&A, October 27).

Have the planners learned nothing from past mistakes? Some of the proposed buildings look like multi-coloured coffins and most of the rest of the design is totally impractical. Imagine how it would look in 30 years' time?

This sort of plan might be fine in Mediterranean countries but it is not suitable for a country with such a diverse climate.

By all means let us have a vision for Bradford, but not one designed by an avant-garde architect who doesn't have to live with the result.

Mrs P Walter, Heaton Park Drive, Bradford 9.

SIR - Mark Ashdown suggests MP George Galloway is guilty of treason which is, he says, still a capital offence. On July 31, 1998, high treason and piracy with violence and arson in the Royal Dockyards ceased to be capital crimes and the death penalty under military jurisdiction was abolished in November 1998.

It's so refreshing to see the T&A not allowing the truth to get in the way of a good letter!

David Simpson, Hirst Avenue, Heckmondwike.

SIR - I was shocked to read the comment of Mark Pattison, managing director of Education Bradford, about the closure of special schools (T& A, October 24) when he said: "People will defend their current situation even if it is appalling."

I spoke at the council meeting on October 21 defending Wedgwood special school, which my son attends, and I would like to make it clear that it is far from appalling. If it was, I would not be defending it but would be fighting for something better for my son.

Parents of children with special needs are very aware of what their children require and want the very best for them. Wedgwood school provides excellent resources for these children. In Education Bradford's proposals there will be no primary provision of this kind in South Bradford. I see that as appalling.

Liz Robinson, Longfield Drive, Bradford 4