SIR - So often the grass in the other field looks so inviting it's really difficult to resist.

Bingley is blessed with a decorative green area, neither too big nor too small, between the shops and the Little Theatre.

This is God's Little Acre, splendid with a range of blooms throughout the kind months of the year, and, in the dark, cold unkind months pretty lights suspended from above give interest and pleasure to all who pass by.

Traditionally, the most commercial and highly-rated or taxed area of a town or city is the main shopping street, like Edinburgh's Princes Street, which like Bingley's Main Street has a pleasant green area on its south side.

Scots have a reputation for being hard-headed, realistic folk, bearing perhaps some similarity to the people of Yorkshire.

I should imagine Scots would fight any change to God's Little Acre in Princes Street. May the people of Bingley successfully defend their own Jewel in the Crown.

Arthur Burge, Longhouse Drive, Denholme.

SIR - It is a significant fact that because Bradford is served by two end branch lines, and that the two Bradford stations are in-conspicuously located, rail usage in the city is relatively low.

One of the reasons for this is that the number of direct services to and from Bradford has been reduced over the years.

It is important that direct services become available to places like Sheffield and Liverpool, so that rail usage would increase, in turn reducing road congestion and pollution.

As the local elections draw nearer, now is the opportune time to ask all councillors and candidates their commitments in securing improved rail services for Bradford.

Also whether they are prepared to campaign for a cross-Bradford heavy rail link between the two Bradford stations, which would require large-scale capital investment.

A rail link would extend and improve the range and services at Bradford, increasing patronage and improving access to and from the city.

So far the attitude of Bradford Council towards a cross-Bradford link has been disappointing, but hopefully a more enlightened attitude will emerge.

Alec Suchi, (secretary, Bradford Rail Users Group), Allerton Road, Allerton.

SIR - I am filled with a sense of hope that some of the old railway lines will be reinstated following the Countryside Agency's report. As a daily commuter on the Airedale line (which is generally punctual) I would appreciate an expanded network.

However as it is seemingly taking forever to reopen stations such as Apperley Bridge and Low Moor how long will it take to bring back complete lines as well as build new stations? Hopefully there is a way that private companies can be lured into operating (and building where needed) old routes.

The benefits would be both economic and social, especially a cross-Bradford link. The cross-city route I am told is unlikely due to the positioning of the new Broadway development. If this is true then perhaps it will be many years before Bradford has a rail service that it deserves.

Tony Watt, Titus Street, Saltaire

SIR - Mubarik Iqbal wrote (T&A, April 16): "Unlike Bush and Blair, Saddam is a most intelligent and responsible person who hasn't used weapons of mass destruction even in desperate situations, even if he had them. Bush, though, used illegal/forbidden weapons such as cluster bombs." What can I say but, "You are really the Iraqi information Minister in disguise and I claim my £5!"

Finally, at the risk of being pedantic, "suicide bombers" might indeed be a good idea. Going out with a bang, so to speak.

But please, encourage them to do it in their own street, or at least in a deserted area, as detonating oneself in a crowded market or aboard a busload of schoolchildren, is known as terrorism and murder by more civilised people.

Ms Iqbal, do please carry on sneering and spitting on the nation that shelters you. It amuses us greatly and brightens up an otherwise boring week.

M. Murphy, Leaventhorpe Avenue, Bradford 8

SIR - Mubarik Iqbal has a lot in common with Comical Ali, the late Minister for Information in Iraq. She cannot see the truth when it's staring at her. The biggest weapon of mass destruction in Iraq was the "intelligent" and "reponsible" Saddam Hussein himself who allowed his son to pass living human beings through shredding machines, feet first.

MP Ann Clwyd has a full report on this and other atrocities committed on the people of Iraq, witnessed by Iraqi citizens lucky enough to escape this evil regime. Four million refugees can't be wrong.

Stuart Baker, Place St Michel, Etalle Chantemelle, Belgium

SIR - We would like to sincerely thank all those people from West Yorkshire who took time to take part in the recent National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society survey, the first undertaken among members.

The results of the survey highlight important messages we can take to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Rheumatoid Arthritis and decision-makers within the NHS and other government bodies.

The survey showed people with rheumatoid arthritis do not have access to the services they need, resulting in feelings of isolation and frustration with the treatment they receive. More than half of participants in the survey had no access to an occupational therapist or services such as hydrotherapy pool or podiatrist.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful and debilitating disease causing inflammation and deterioration of the joints. There are currently around 400,000 sufferers in the UK, many of whom are disabled by the disease and unable to work. The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society is the only UK charity solely dedicated to sufferers of the disease, providing support service and advice campaigning voice.

If you would like to support our continued campaign please log onto the website www.rheumatoid.org.uk, e-mail nras@rheumatoid.org.uk or call Lorraine Tanner on 01628 670606.

Alisa Bosworth, chairman of NRAS, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

SIR - I am writing about an outstanding eyesore open to all weather conditions ignored by the Council housing department and now in new owner's hands.

On October 29 last year there was a gale-force windy with heavy rain. I heard a banging noise from outside. When I looked out of the window I saw it was the YEB meter cupboard door banging against the wall. Then I saw it drop on to the path.

I reported it to the Area Housing Office. They reported it to the police as criminal damage, who gave information to Crime Support.

Although I received correspondence from the housing office nothing has been done.

My door chain broke last November. That is still outstanding although I was told it would be secured.

We are often warned to keep the door locked and use the chain. I asked for a chain to be put on in 1998 but was refused. The police had one put on for me.

D Stringer, Haslemere Close, Bradford 4.

SIR - Among all the beautiful old buildings in the centre of Bradford is one that seems to be forgotten about.

On Cheapside opposite the elegant Midland Hotel is the old Bradford Chamber of Commerce office.

From ground floor level it looks like an empty building with half boarded-up windows, but look up and you see yet another wonderful piece of architecture.

Perhaps the soon-to-be-redeveloped 1960s Forster Square area as a prestigious state-of-the-art shopping centre will act as a catalyst to revive this great building, as luxury apartments perhaps?

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford 3.