Letters to the Editor

The ordeal of the couple who had their car car-jacked (T&A, August 7) at McDonald's in Thornbury at midnight by five thugs must have been terrifying. Yet the police took it upon themselves to assume they were out of danger because the gang had fled and never even bothered to turn out.

This was a disgraceful response. If the gang had returned things could have been a lot more serious.

We are living in an age where excuses come naturally. Nobody wants to actually do anything.

My poor old mum who was 90 at the time, had need of help from Social Services: stairlift, bath lift etc.

Social Services fobbed us off with excuses for eight months. They promised everything and gave us nothing, except excuses.

On July 17 a light fitting blew off of the ceiling. I phoned Council repairs. It would be 30 working days before they could attend. The bare wires were a fire-hazard. The job would have taken an hour.

When are our public services going to stop making excuses and actually do some work?

M Booth, Broadstone Way, Holme Wood.

SIR - The current debate on gay clergy seems to have shaken up the Church. If they actually believed in the original teachings of the Bible then there really would be no debate. It seems from the outside that God's law has been replaced by the law of the people.

If the original scriptures of the Bible had not been altered then I am sure the law on homosexuality would have been the same as that of the Quran.

"Of all creatures created in the world, will ye approach males, and leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are people transgressing all limits"! Ash Shura:165:166).

Hamdan Khan, St Michael's Road, Bradford 8

SIR - Former Councillor Richard Sheard (T&A, August 5) was right to try to reduce the impact of drunken behaviour in Wibsey High Street in the early 1990s but he misrepresents the role that Councillor Ralph Berry and I played in trying to improve matters. At that time there wasn't a legal way forward and we told him what was needed.

It was not until the new Labour Government passed the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and addressed street drinking in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, that progress could be made and now following the city centre and township schemes we look forward to the same approach in Wibsey and other villages.

It was a bit naughty to moan that we don't live in Wibsey - Ralph Berry did for a number of years and both of us are accessible as many of our constituents know. I do wonder whether Richard would have moved from Wibsey High Street to Eccleshill after the election last May when he stood as the Tory candidate. He was saved from having to make the decision as he came fourth.

Councillor Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford 9.

SIR - Many readers scan your excellent pages to see how the prices of homes are changing. Publication this week of the latest HM Land Registry figures for our area adds useful information.

Overall house prices in Yorkshire have risen by six per cent between the first and second quarters of 2003 and by five per cent in Bradford. Annual rates of price increase are now 15 per cent in our region and 12 per cent in Bradford.

But Bradford's flats have soared in price by 43 per cent over the year. That contrasts with an increase for all-Yorkshire flats of 17 per cent. The number of flats sold in Bradford fell by 18 per cent, suggesting that the reason why prices have risen so much is partly due to a severe shortage.

Shortage of supply seems to be linked with higher prices for larger homes too. Plainly, house buyers are out there and looking for what they can't find.

Andrew Dundas, Parish Ghyll Drive, Ilkley.

SIR - I have a contract to write a book entitled The Haunted Places of Yorkshire, to be published in autumn 2004 by Countryside Books, and would like to hear from anyone who has a spooky tale to tell.

I am concentrating on modern experiences, rather than legends and folklore, to give the book a more authentic feel.

Your readers can remain anonymous if they wish - and all replies will be acknowledged.

Andy Owens, 69 Beechwood Road, Halifax, HX2 9BT. e-mail andyowens43@aol.com.

SIR - Can someone explain why the recent 3-4 pence rise on petrol has gone unnoticed and unmentioned in the news media? It is nearly the same price as when the war was on with Iraq. Are we now paying for it again?

Tanver Khan, Lynton Drive, Heaton

SIR - I read with great interest your report (August 13) regarding fixed penalties of £30 being issued to drivers who choose to abuse bus lanes. One of the drivers stopped complained: "You can't help entering the bus lane when traffic is queuing all the way back from the traffic lights. I don't know what they expect you to do...".

The answer is simple. Firstly, use your eyes to read the signs which tell you when to stay out of the bus lanes. There are no exceptions barring an emergency.

Secondly, if traffic has backed up into the bus lane, don't join them. Stay in the right-hand lane until you are level with the end of the bus lane, and then wait, with your left indicator on (for drivers who have forgotten what these are, use the stalk beside your steering wheel to turn on the orange flashing lights on the left-hand side of your car).

Then wait for a considerate driver to allow you to merge with the queue of traffic. If any selfish, ignorant or myopic drivers in the bus lane get abusive, ignore them and remain calm, safe in the knowledge that you are not queue jumping, they are!

Chris Armour, Southmere Crescent, Great Horton.

SIR - The work of 200 voluntary groups for their communities was recognised when they won The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award earlier this year. This annual award is special because it is for the group as a whole rather than individuals.

The winners reflect the amazing diversity of the voluntary sector - whether it is running community centres, village halls, youth and sports clubs or contributing to crime prevention and community safety.

The search is now on for next year's winners. If you know of a group that is making a real difference to people's lives you can nominate them for an award. Get a form by calling 0845 000 2002 or by visiting the website at www.goldenjubileeaward.gov.uk.

Nominations must be in by September 15. If you know of a group which deserves this recognition, make sure you nominate them.

Fiona Mactaggart MP, Minister for the Voluntary and Community Sector, The Home Office, London SW1.

SIR - I am writing to encourage your readers to dust down their walking shoes and rub on the suntan cream and take part in the British Heart Foundation's "Walkabout 2003" to help raise vital funds for the charity.

"Walkabout 2003" is a series of over 130 fundraising walks set in some of the most picturesque countryside and park areas in Britain. You don't have to be super-fit to take part - you just need a little bit of motivation and a sense of fun!

Money raised from "Walkabout 2003" will help the BHF continue to fund pioneering heart research, as well as educate the public and medical professionals about heart health.

For more information and to find out about the walks nearest you, call the BHF on 020 7487 9461.

Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, c/o British Heart Foundation.

SIR - It is fantastic news that work on the regeneration of Lister's Mill, right, is finally to start. This famous landmark which is a symbol of a bygone past when Bradford was the capital of the wool trade and brought wealth to the district will once again do so, though in a modern context.

During the 1990s, the Council backed many a regeneration scheme, but failed dismally to help deliver anything substantial. I'm sure we can all remember the Odsal Stadium fiasco, the previous Lister's Mill schemes and more recently the Rawson Market cock-up.

The cumulative effect of these and many more examples was that developers didn't want to try and invest in Bradford which aided the decline of the district.

In contrast, over the last few years the Council working in partnership have delivered on the big regeneration issues. Odsal Stadium and Lister's Mill now have a future, work should begin soon on the replacement of Rawson Market, the Broadway shopping development should follow, not to mention all the apartment conversions.

Developers now want to invest in the district and this will create jobs, wealth and send out the message that you can do business with the Council and in Bradford district.

Coun Andrew Smith (Con, Queensbury), Chapel Street, Queensbury