Letters to the Editor

Bradford is treated very badly by all train operating companies as far as rail connections are concerned. The only long-distance services are two GNER trains to Kings Cross. There was a third, which quietly disappeared when the much-enhanced half-hourly service from Leeds to London began.

Virgin, the leading cross-country service provider, does not serve Bradford on any of its trains, unlike the days of the Midland Railway, when trains such as the Cornishman and Devonian and several other daily trains stopped in the city.

Imagine the furore if Virgin or GNER pulled out of Newcastle (a city of similar size to Bradford) and the reaction from travellers if they were told "you can always change at York or Doncaster". It simply would not happen.

With regard to TransPennine services, what is really needed is a fast Bradford-Manchester service. This could possibly be done in 45 minutes with five stops. If the much talked-about cross-Bradford rail link came into being, the possibilities are even more exciting.

Andrew Hall, Eaves Mount, Hebden Bridge.

SIR - Your headline "Sidelined" (August 1) sums up the rail predicament facing Bradford. We have what appears, at times, to be a mediocre service but it is going to get worse - even disappear!

In our city we have many agencies seeking to promote our potential when along comes the Strategic Rail Authority and, in effect, says "don't bother."

It is alarming that some quango down South, can wield such power by inhibiting, for years to come, growth across the social spectrum.

Your editorial "Let's fight this new rail snub" is particularly relevant as nothing less than concerted, vociferous and protracted opposition will change things.

May I suggest to readers that they write to the SRA at 55 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ED; but particularly to Alistair Darling MP who is Minister of Transport at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

Local MPs have already noted the possible consequences, so a note or a call of encouragement to them will strengthen their arms.

We at the Bradford Rail Users Group have stressed in these columns the advantages of a through line. I note that there are about 12 towns, all considerably smaller than Bradford, that will benefit from substantial rail improvements through this scheme. They are all through lines.

Walter Metcalfe (BRUG), Central Avenue, Shipley.

SIR - Councillor Sunderland makes a laudable point when she talks about training and job opportunities for local people.

What makes her point laughable though is her party's position on Bradford Council regarding the proposed wholesale privatisation of the city's assets.

Under this proposal some 600 of them would be sold off to the highest bidder. The Council would then take out long-term leases on these assets.

This would leave the local authority with little or no say on who could be employed by this asset-holding company to carry out any maintenance required, thereby allowing yet more council taxpayers' money to leave the district.

These assets were paid for by our forefathers through money raised through local taxation. They therefore belong to all the citizens of Bradford who should have their say on what should happen to them.

It will be interesting to see, come the vote in the council chamber; whether the Lib-Dems under Councillor Sunderland's leadership continue their support of Tory-led privatisation or if they follow national Lib-Dem policy of opposing privatisation at every opportunity.

Andrew Stone, Gerard House, Fairhaven Green, Idle

SIR - The debate about the speed humps on the road in Burley Woodhead seems unlikely to have an outcome that suits everyone.

Personally, I am encouraged to see a road such as this being brought back into a state where it is safer to use. Commuting to Bradford "the top way" has become far too popular and the roads were not designed for such traffic.

If there is no money or desire to improve the main road to Bradford (dual carriageway etc), that is still no reason to make the small roads unsafe and unpleasant for so many local residents.

A more frequent use of the train service to Bradford and some walking or bicycling from the station would relieve car use.

The level of car use should be a major concern in each family if we are to have an environment we can enjoy. I would urge families to consider walking or bicycling where at all possible.

It can be a very rewarding option and would reduce Ilkley's town congestion considerably.

Fiona Schneider, Gill Bank Road, Ilkley.

SIR - Nearly 300 past pupils from St Blaise RC Secondary School met for the 80th birthday of Sr Immaculata in April this year. Thanks to an advertisement in the Telegraph & Argus, people all over the country (and someone in Australia) heard about the event and either attended the reunion or contacted Sr Immaculata. We were bowled over by the number of people who attended.

Past pupils who started at the school at the age of 11, in 1960, decided to organise a reunion for that particular year group. People left their names and addresses from all over the country, but unfortunately someone picked up the list and took it with them!

We are desperate to contact pupils from this year group. The reunion will take place on Saturday, September 6, at 8 pm. Will any readers who know of past pupils from this year group ask them to ring either Christina Glover on 01274 815651 or Josephine Gill on 01274 780239 for further details.

Mrs Josephine M Kennedy, Toller Lane, Heaton, Bradford

SIR - In response to Maggi Chapman's letter (August 6), I do not object to the siting of a children's home within my constituency, but I do wish to ensure that it is in the most suitable location. Together with two local ward councillors, I was supporting the residents in Low Moor who were rightly aggrieved that their concerns were being completely ignored by Bradford Council.

It is yet another example of a supposed consultation process that is little more than a rubber-stamping exercise for decisions that have, in all probability, already been taken behind closed doors.

My objections were based on the fact that councillors are using some of the most vulnerable members of society as a political football. It would appear that cost and political expediency outweighed the welfare of the children when the Council decided upon the location of these homes.

Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Kirkgate, Bradford 1

SIR - What a shocking and sickening front page you had on August 6 headlined "Torturers get 91 years". While I was reading it I kept thinking - how can one human being do this sort of thing to another?

A mere 91 years shared between them? It is almost laughable. The sadist Akhtar should have got 25 years per injury to the people involved and the others should have had 25 years minimum.

Why was there no mention of taking Akhtar's ill-gotten gains from him? Surely the judge can order the confiscation of his money and anything else he possesses. It is time now to "get tough and rough " with drug dealers and charge them with attempted murder.

That should be the minimum charge.

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke

SIR - May I bring to the attention of your readers a very important annual charitable appeal which will be taking place between September 13 and 27.

The charity asking the people of Bradford and surrounding areas for help is one of the most famous organisations in the world, easily recognisable, and one of the first that people turn to when in trouble.

This year The Salvation Army requires close to £3 million to make up a deficit and simply maintain the work that it carries out in the United Kingdom.

If there are people out there who want to help by running an event and/or donating funds (maybe there are companies who are looking for a worthy cause to give to) then here we are. If so then they may use me as their initial point of contact.

Pip Wilcox, Roundwood Glen, Greengates, Bradford. Tel: 01274 614706 (evenings).