SIR - May I inquire if Bradford Metropolitan Highways Department intends to keep the residents of Queensbury in isolation for much longer?

There are roadworks at Scarlet Heights which reduce traffic to a standstill from around 7.40am on weekdays.

An alternative route down Baldwin Lane worked for a short time until "the planners" closed off half the village of Clayton, creating traffic chaos at peak times.

In desperation to get to work on time, another route via Chat Hill was chosen but - you've guessed it - roadworks on Thornton Road caused very lengthy delays.

However, today I discovered a way into town where there were no roadworks, no hold-ups and I arrived at work stress-free and on time. You will forgive me if I do not disclose the details as we could find that the "Queensbury escape route" is jeopardised when the Highways Department realise it has missed the opportunity to totally isolate us.

I know the work is important and disruption is bound to occur, but a little thought from the planners may help make life easier.

Pat Sooley, Foxhill Avenue, Queensbury.

SIR - I suspect the real reason why some want to twin Keighley with Manzini in the Kingdom of Swaziland is the prospect of wangling free holidays out of council tax payers.

I spent a year in the army in Manzini in the sixties. They don't need Keighley to solve their problems for them. It's neither given to us or our business to solve the problems of others. People can only solve their own problems.

Politicians live off the altruistic idea that others are to be sacrificed to higher causes - their higher causes.

If councillors are into sacrifice then let it be for the town and people of Keighley.

Eric Firth, Wellington Street, Wilsden.

SIR - Mubarik Iqbal's philosophy of "All Muslims good, all Westerners bad" is a joy to behold (Letters, October 14).

I must agree with her that the saving of a whole Muslim race in the former Yugoslavia was indefensible and the attack we made on Muslim Kuwait after it was visited by a glorious benefactor was unpardonable.

The dismay we brought to the people of Iraq in closing down Saddam's torture chambers was inexcusable and the multi-billion pounds of aid America has given to the poor countries of the world over the past 50 years is unforgivable.

I am always pleased to read her letters as they bring a little laughter into my life.

Malcolm Wood, Westercroft View, Northowram.

SIR - Creationist religious teaching offers nothing to humanity except perpetual ignorance. That is why it should not be allowed near our schools.

The millions who "reason that things must have been created", to quote Matthew Morley (Letters, October 13), have been brainwashed in religious schools to accept the biggest con in history.

Even the more rational Christian scientists accept evolution as science and creationists can only put forward the occasional oddball theorist who refuses to accept the reality of the 21st century. The largest Christian, Jewish and Islamic groups accept that creationism - the belief, from adding up references to time in the Bible, that our planet is only 6,500 years old - is nonsense.

Religion is the antithesis of knowledge because it denies to millions the beauty of real learning and has been used to keep the populace in line and in ignorance: "Behave yourself in this life and, when you are dead, you will enjoy eternal happiness in heaven."

Yes, Mr Morley, there is more to life than fast cars and money (the only thing he got right in his letter) - one additional aim of life is to save the planet from nonsensical "beliefs".

Sean Connor, Cunliffe Road, Manningham.

SIR - I read with utter disgust that over and over again, nothing is done about vandalism at Scholemoor Cemetery.

It's bad enough that mindless youths set things alight and cause havoc throughout the cemetery but what does it say about Bradford Council and cemetery staff who claim that they have concerns? Parents want more than pathetic sympathy, we want action.

Ms A Heeley, Bertram Road, Manningham.