Cyclists ignored in traffic changes

In this age of traffic congested enlightenment, why is it that not one jot of effort or brain power has been put into the encouragement of safe cycling in and around Skipton. The new road layouts have done more harm to the "let's all go cycling" cause than a liberal sprinkling of broken glass.

On the lower end of Gargrave road, where all the major schools are located, and where cycling should actively be encouraged, the situation is appalling with not one cycle friendly feature to be found.

Higher up, beyond the schools, the only concession to cyclists in Skipton in the form of designated lanes are more often than not blocked with parked cars.

On Keighley road there is ample room for a cycle lane along each carriageway, but instead what we've got is approximately four metres of completely wasted hatched 'no go' area down the centre of the road.

The death trap islands prove that no thought or proper consultation has been put into this scheme whatsoever.

Denis Watkins did have a valid point in the Craven Herald letters column, why waste good money handing out useless leaflets or posters?

Surely this money and energy could have been better spent on making Craven's roads safer for cyclists. Come on North Yorkshire and Craven District Council - wakey wakey!

Let's hope that more common sense prevails this summer with the coming of the Sustrans Pennine cycle route which passes through Craven. For those interested in this scheme and other Sustrans cycling issues, Gargrave Civic Society has arranged a special presentation and talk by David Hall of Sustrans at Gargrave Village Hall on Tuesday, April 1 at 7.30 pm.

Trevor Batchelor,

Otley Road, Skipton

SIR - As a dog owner who always picks up the dirt and at the risk of being accused of nimbyism (I live adjacent to the Middle Green in Gargrave), I wonder what use Coun David Syms thinks it would be allocating the stretch of the Green mentioned in your paper as a "specific dog walking area or run".

Firstly, does he honestly think that those irresponsible dog owners who cannot even be bothered to bend from the waist and remove their dog's dirt from the pavement are going to put themselves out to walk from their homes to the prescribed area?

Secondly, how does he propose that those people living further away than myself actually get their dog to hang on until it reaches this designated dog-defecation area? I can assure him that if a dog's gotta go then it's gonna go - regardless of where it is.

Also, I would like to ask how he proposes to ensure that the area does not become a health hazard.

People will be even more liable to leave their dog's messes in a specific "dog-loo" area than to pick them up, and one can imagine what it would be like after a couple of weeks of regular visits by the dog population of Gargrave - and I can assure you that it is an area with a very high dog ration.

Most of the dog mess in Gargrave is actually on the canal bank, on the stretch between Higherlands locks and Eshton Road, and in this area you can hardly put a foot down without looking carefully first, despite the fact that there are two dog bins along this stretch.

The other area is on the narrow footpath that runs from the canal gate at Eshton Road down to North Street and this is a minefield of pooh. This is an area which seems to have many loose dogs about and I suppose they cannot be expected to clear up after themselves.

I suggest that the only way to ensure clean streets is to have a regular dog warden who would prosecute the poo-perpetrators and make the fines big enough to hurt.

Also there are too many people who obtain a dog on a whim and then lose interest.

Perhaps dog licences should be brought back - but with a cost large enough to make people think twice.

I realise that some would not purchase them but at least if the revenue paid for the dog wardens, those without licences could also be found and fined.

Just another thought - whatever happened to the old-fashioned street sweepers who would move anything from a sweet wrapper to a squashed cat? There was no pooh about when they were in force, so perhaps they should be brought back, with a new, fancy name (walkway hygiene enforcement operatives?) or would that be too non-PC?

Mrs Alyson Cheetham,

Church Lane, Gargrave.

SIR - I am writing to you with regard to comments made in the Craven Herald letters column on March 7.

Having read the comments of Stuart and Jacqueline Hamilton about Tarn House Hotel, I think I am compelled to answer the comments thrown up!

I think my first point is that in 1970, when my parents had the foresight to turn a near derelict building into a magnificent hotel, it was the local stirton people that praised them for saving the structure and, if I remember correctly as i was only eight years old, so did the local council.

The second point I wish to make is that it may not have provided a vital role in the stirton parish, but many locals visited, praised and spread the word, certainly more than a handful.

I am not stupid and do realise that things change and that attitudes do too, also that it is 23 years since my parents sold the business. But i had 12 happy years growing up there and when it was good you could not book a wedding unless it was 16 months in advance, evening meals three or four weeks, and often you could not even get a bar meal without a serious wait.

Finally, progress is progress, but please people do not destroy the happy thoughts that hundreds of people have, that includes my family. It must be near impossible to be critical of something if you did not live there when Tarn House was "the place to be" as I understand the letter's author was not here then.

Finally, my parents were in the catering industry for 50 years - a little longer than most - until my father died a few years ago.

Michael Amos,

Hardy Meadows, Grassington

SIR - On behalf of the Middletown Community Association I would like to thank all the children and their parents from Parish Church School who completed and returned the survey about the Ginnel Park area in Skipton.

The response was fantastic; we had 160 returns, the conclusions being that the facility needs improving and will be well used when that is done.

There was also overwhelming support for keeping dogs out of the play areas and the children came up with conclusive opinions about the equipment they would like to see in place.

It is now our hope and indeed intention that, armed with this information, these facilities can be installed, initially by the Town Council on a rolling programme starting this summer, and we can also secure extra outside funding as a result of this survey.

We would also like to thank Mike Latham and the staff at Parish Church School for their help in conducting this consultation and hope that we can continue the partnership between ourselves and the school for a long time to come.

Coun Andy Solloway,

Sunmoor Drive, Skipton.

SIR - There have been a lot of negative comments made about Airedale General Hospital and people seem all too ready to complain about it.

I, on the other hand, would like to say I have nothing but praise for the hospital. I recently spent two separate weeks in Airedale Hospital on wards six and seven and cannot speak highly enough about the care and attention I received and the respect with which I was treated.

The nurses and doctors were marvellous. Dr Mohammed on ward seven was very caring and understanding and everyone treated me as if I was a friend. Nothing was too much trouble for them. The staff were also very helpful towards my visitors and the food menu was as good as any five-star hotel.

Unfortunately, due to lack of appetite, I was unable to enjoy it, but was encouraged to eat a little every day. Thanks to everyone, also the ambulance crew from Settle and Skipton. You hear such a lot of complaints about the hospital, but I certainly don't have any.

Hilda Whitaker,

Moor Crescent, Skipton.

Development flaw

SIR - Still smarting from the imposition of the Lord's Fold housing estate, the residents of Giggleswick have now been presented with proposals for the development of a further nine infill, brown-field and green (playing field) sites.

It started with the sale, by Giggleswick School, of part of Lord's playing field for the building of 26 houses. Amazingly planning permission was granted against the clearly expressed wishes of a very large number of residents.

Reasons for opposing further development include:- increase in traffic on unsuitable roads, overloading of services and facilities, increased surface water run-off (Tems Beck has already overflowed) and possibly, most importantly, the aesthetic impact on a rather unspoilt Dales village.

Several years ago, for no obvious reason, an area of Lord's playing field was fenced off and ploughed by the School. They now describe it as "currently disused, overgrown and separated by a fence" and consider the land "better utilised by housing".

I was told yesterday by a neighbour that the area has become a mini-haven for some of our less common birds; so now we can add wildlife conservation to our list of reasons why planning permission must be refused!

In another leap of logic the school proposes further houses in Lord's Fold which, whilst falling within the recreational open space designation, yet "serves no recreational purpose" and is effectively a "residue of development".

The school is a key part of our community and a significant contributor to our local economy. To compete they must continue to expand their accommodation and facilities. It is a pity that they should wish to finance this by selling land for speculative building development to the detriment of our environment.

I would hope that other concerned residents will join in urging our parish council to oppose any relevant planning application.

CW Graham,

Bankwell Road, Giggleswick.

SIR - I am writing again about the move regarding the Snaygill Centre.

Do people realise there are double yellow line outside Navigation House? Where will the cars and minibuses put down and pick up the adults with learning difficulties?

Broughton Road is very busy with the railway station, Morrisons, Focus, Kingsley Cards and the turnoff to Tesco, and the road is quite narrow on Belmont Bridge. I do hope there will not be an accident there in years to come.

There will be unloading and loading from 9am to 4pm. A minibus takes some to Otley Road on a Tuesday for the Gateway Club meeting at about 3.30pm.

Mrs Sybil Pye,

Burnside Crescent, Skipton.

SIR - I read with some interest and yet confusion the comments made by Sgt Wilson (Town could get drinking ban, Craven Herald March 7).

I support wholeheartedly the introduction of a by-law to keep drinking off the streets. However I find it strange that Sgt Wilson in referring to the new Wetherspoons (Devonshire Hotel Skipton) deems he has the authority to suggest that because of its cheap drink policy, the Black Horse and the Y Bar will possibly have to lower their prices to compete.

Since when does a sergeant in charge of licensing offer economic advice through your paper to Skipton licensees. Does he not have the understanding that bars, restaurants and cafes alike set their prices in accordance to the quality of service it supplies and clientele it wishes to attract?

Not everybody will be tempted by the discount on their bar bill in exchange for a different and possibly less enjoyable atmosphere.

I for one will continue using the Y Bar and other quality establishments in Skipton for this very reason.

To the best of my knowledge Bizzie Lizzies have not introduced a "MacFish & Fries" for a £1

Robbie Walls,

Hillside Crescent, Skipton.

SIR - I wanted to write and publicly say a big "thanks" to the two lads who helped Craven Community Transport by washing our minibus on two extremely cold days.

Despite not being there completely voluntarily, the two put in a top effort, were good-humoured and left the minibus immaculate inside and out.

The washing of buses was one part of their youth offending referral order. Referral orders aim to give young offenders an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions as well as putting back into their local community.

I think it's a great initiative and one I hope CCT can continue to support in our small way.

Sophie Pattani

Craven Community Transport,

Coach Street, Skipton

SIR - Many hundreds of elderly people are struggling along in unsuitable homes, unable to find or afford a better alternative.

This is hardly surprising -few local councils are treating the crisis with anything like the seriousness it deserves.

We are astonished to find that a great majority do not have any proper housing strategy for the elderly. These include North Yorkshire County Council.

Over the last few months McCarthy & Stone has conducted a survey of all local authorities in Britain. It reveals that fewer than one in 10 has properly addressed this crucial issue of our times.

This is not the way to treat the fastest-growing and potentially most vulnerable sector of the population, especially when 3,500 care home beds have disappeared in the last three years largely through change in regulations.

Government planning guidelines, as well as a number of housing agencies, have long been urging local authorities to make proper provision for the elderly, clearly without much effect.

But there is now a new opportunity for them to grasp the nettle, with the formation of the Housing and Older People Development Group under the wing of the Deputy Prime Minister.

They will be champions for change - promoting, advising and measuring improvements in the supply of housing for elderly people.

Even those local authorities who can boast a formal strategy seem preoccupied with public sector housing issues, despite the well documented fact that a majority of older people in 21st century Britain are homeowners in need of more appropriate housing.

The development group is encouraging all kinds of housing choices that should be open to the elderly in 21st century Britain, including 'stay put and adapt' , sheltered housing, retirement housing, lifetime homes, Assisted Living accommodation, residential homes and care homes.

But local authorities can only plan ahead if they have first assessed the need and adopted policies geared towards delivery of a range of housing solutions.

The current crisis over lack of affordable housing for younger people was brought on by the failure of successive governments to see the problem coming and take steps to avoid it. We must not let the same happen to the ageing population.

As the country's largest provider of sheltered housing for older owner-occupiers we are pleased to be represented on this new group. I urge any local authorities who need to catch up, to take advantage of the initiative.

We must wake up before this demographic time-bomb explodes.

Keith Lovelock

Chief executive

McCarthy and Stone plc

Clifton Moor, York

SIR - I wrote to you last summer about the restarting of the export of lambs from this country to the continent. A cruel and evil trade.

Since then, in spite of all protests and demonstrations, this trade has continued with all its attendant suffering and distress to the animals involved.

To date, 148,000 lambs have been exported from this country (mainly from Welsh farms), from Dover to destinations in France, Spain and Italy. How can one feel sympathy for the plight of farmers if they are involved in this trade?

Compassion in World Farming is continuing to fight and I hope other people will feel inclined to join them.

Jean Cookson,

Yealand Avenue, Giggleswick.

SIR - The UN required Saddam to produce his weapons of mass destruction for inspection or the proof that he had destroyed such weapons. He has not made any substantial effort to do either.

It was not desired that the inspection teams hunt through Iraq for needles in haystacks.

War, like water and air, has become like a natural element, born out of mass population increase, technical development, greed and individual ideologies. As we are not going to get rid of any of these things, war is here to stay. It is therefore obvious that we have to abide by the rules of war.

The most successful military leaders in history have proved the military maxims over many years; such as, hold the high ground, the best method of defence is attack, to quote but two.

The word appeasement was never mentioned and I suggest that in fact it will never work in the long term.

We should not have eased up on an already defeated Iraqi army 12 years ago.

Armies going back to the days of the Crusaders, Napoleon and Hitler have been inveigled into marching into severe extremes of temperature and being defeated mainly by such extremes. It is possible that Saddam dragged out the process of diplomacy in order to force our armies to fight in the extremes of an Iraqi summer.

The reason why the UN was no more successful than the old League of Nations is that all countries then and now make decisions based on their own needs and not on the greater good.

All of the present day dissenters will go to war when and if the circumstances are right for them, at the time of asking.

There is little point in a democracy electing a leader and then changing his conditions of service every five minutes of the day. The old trade union maxim still holds true: United we stand, divided we fall.

Gordon Adams,

Long Ashes Park, Threshfield.

SIR - I would like to respond to the your article under the heading "Park restoration chairman denies secrecy allegation" (Craven Herald, March 7).

As a Sutton resident I have been given ample opportunity to view the plans, help with the restoration, discuss the work being undertaken, put forward ideas, and even to participate in the restoration of Sutton Park.

As editor of Sutton Village News I have ensured that every household in Sutton has had the opportunity to read an update of the work being done by the restoration committee on a quarterly basis.

As a village committee member I have been involved in many discussions about the availability of the Pavilion to non-bowling club members of the community and have counteracted many people's belief that the pavilion belongs to the bowling club.

I have booked the pavilion for use by more than one committee on numerous occasions and have spent many hours in the pavilion.

As a contribution to the restoration I have been in the park on several photographic expeditions and have photographed members of the pavilion committee working in the new building.

At no time have I been met with anything other than a full picture of what is happening.

However I have never met Mr Barry Raye and do not know the gentleman. I only know the members, who belong to both the pavilion and the restoration committees, who do the work and care for the pavilion.

My understanding is that as such a substantial part of the parish precept on the council tax is used to finance the bowling green and the pavilion, it is essential that "ownership" is taken up by village groups and individuals. Mr Raye should therefore attend the well publicised meeting to be held in April and ensure that his representation is made at that meeting along with all other interested parties.

No-one has been left in the dark; everything pertaining to the park has been done openly and visibly, there have been substantial and full regular reports and updates published. If Mr Raye has not bothered to find out what is happening, even from his own committee members, then he should not blame it on the people putting in their time and energy!

Hazel Renton,

North Road, Sutton-in-Craven.

SIR - After reading your article in Friday March 7 issue, about the secrecy of Sutton Park Restoration Committee, can I ask where Mr Raye has been for the last few years?

Sutton Village News has regularly updated all villagers about the restoration work and your paper has several times had articles printed.

Has Mr Raye asked anyone, or, as other members of his committee, offered his services to the restoration committee? If so he, like all who have done so, will know what is happening in Sutton Park.

Annette Craven,

Daisy Croft Hair Salon,

High Street, Sutton-in-Craven.

SIR - I am very disappointed at people's selfish attitude when it comes to dogs.

The new play area in Raikes Road, although not open yet and has a temporary fence round it, has already been fouled by dog dirt.

The old golf course road, off Grassington Road, is in such a disgraceful state. This public footpath is in constant use by families but is also used as a "dog toilet". People turn up in cars to allow their dogs to exercise, which is fine, but then do not clean up after their pets.

Some responsible people do, for which I thank them. However this is not the general rule.

I have ordered a dog bin to be placed at this end of the walk although there are dog bins at the other end.

This footpath from the old road can continue across the farmer's fields. Sheep are in these fields and, unfortunately, last week one aborted with the loss of two lambs.

I must appeal to dog owners, please, please be responsible for your pets and respect public amenities.

Coun Marcia Turner,

Craven District Council,

Granville Street, Skipton.

SIR - I would like to thank the paramedics, doctors and staff on duty at the accident and emergency unit and on ward 15 at Airedale Hospital when my husband was taken ill.

Also I would like to thank the consultants, doctors and nursing staff on the coronary care unit on ward one. He could not have been cared for by a more dedicated team of people and we are very lucky to have this level of care in our area.

We were very impressed by the coronary care unit at Airedale and subsequently the Jubilee wing at Leeds General Infirmary, which must be one of the best centres in the country.

My husband is making good progress after his heart bypass operation and will shortly be attending cardiac rehabilitation at Airedale.

Our experience of the NHS has been an excellent one.

We would also like to thank our friends and neighbours for their best wishes and support through this very difficult and worrying time.

Margaret Colley,

Park Ave, Skipton.

SIR - Once again the "aim to be awkward" brigade, sorry, I mean the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is trying to wreck the plans of a local couple namely Sharon Spenceley and David Winspear from Swaledale.

Readers may wonder what mischievous plans these two have in mind. A scheme to divert the Swale through their back yard perhaps, or a heliport at Muker maybe?

Oh no, nothing as exciting as that. This young couple, born and bred in the dale, simply want to convert an unused barn, owned by the family, into a home for themselves and their children.

How could anyone object to that? Well to justify its existence the national park does just that, it objects.

To add to insult to injury when local councillor John Blackie had the cheek to try to fight on the couple's behalf, he was asked to resign. Apparently a Miss Grace was upset by his remarks, not as upset as the couple who stand to lose their home.

As a footnote to this letter it strikes me as odd, if not absurd, that a committee not even made up of Yorkshire people, never mind Dales folk, can play God with locals who are born, bred, live and work here.

Ray Potter,

Low Lane, Grassington.

SIR - The cast and stage team would like to thank everyone who came to see our show, The Little Shop of Horrors, at Skipton Town Hall.

A very special thank you to our sponsors, the girls from Craven College who helped us with our make-up and everyone who joined in our fun, making the week a memorable one. Our motto is "to be the best" - please support us.

Alan Wilcock,

Little Sods,

Hazel Grove Road, Sutton-in-Craven.

SIR - In reply to last week's article in which it was commented there were not enough pre-school places in Barnoldswick. We at Pendle Nursery have extended our facilities to include a new busy barn and we have vacancies available, enabling parents who wish to work to do so.

Any children who reach the age of three before April 1, September or January are entitled to five free educational places each week for 11 weeks each term beginning in April.

Hazel Nutter,

Pendle Nursery,

Fountain Street, Barnoldswick.

SIR - Are we being told in the letter from a former leader of the Conservative group at Craven District Council (Craven Herald March 7), that it is perfectly in order for Independents to be allied to the "blue" group at Craven District Council but not to other groups or coalitions?

As an Independent member of Craven Council, I was from time to time allied to them at the personal requests of the then political leadership, including your correspondent Mr Crawford of Bell Busk, with the unanimous agreement of his group.

Of course, it must have suited their cause to count on my support at crucial votes. Alas, inevitably, being unable to support their every political dictat, I refused to be compromised in impartially representing all the electorate and the arrangement was terminated by the Conservative group - but ironically not until the Conservatives had an overall majority in council without my support.

Clearly the desire to serve community is to the forefront of most members, whatever their label. Unfortunately divisive politics are seemingly again obstructing the paths of progress at Craven.

Many of us remain strongly independent but eagerly willing to work with all shades of personalities and politics for the greater benefit of all. Surely a prosperous, secure future for all, a clean litter-free Craven, a safe environment for family and business at an affordable price subject to reasonable Government funding of course, must be the basis of policy formulation of our local authority.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Anyone willing to take this impartial, straight forward constructive approach with others and myself at the May elections of this year please make contact at the address below, or phone 01756-796761.

Robert Heseltine,

The Ginnel Place,

Newmarket St, Skipton.

SIR - I read with interest the letters submitted over the previous weeks by Coun David Crawford and Coun Paul English over the composition of the ruling group on the Craven District council.

Firstly, the Independents are not acting with the Liberal Democrats to "force through a high council tax rise", rather they are working together to pool their talents and resources, to produce an acceptable and forward thinking strategy to improve services and to get Craven moving forward.

Both groups recognise that they can work together on this, regardless of past allegiance or otherwise.

Secondly, the best way that councillors of both groups can improve the lives of their residents is by active co-operation and participation and by exchanging ideas.

Yes, it is a very good thing indeed to be independent of mind, but a better thing still to see that independence of mind to be turned into real policy. The Liberal Democrats do not have any magical hold over the Independents (who are by no means all liberals), the Lib Dems don't hold a gun to their heads. If they wish to work with the Lib Dems and vice versa, then it is may be because the alternative is too depressing to contemplate.

Thirdly, for a Conservative councillor to cry foul at Independents acting with Liberal Democrats is exceedingly odd. Up and down the country, Conservative run councils with the active support of Independents. As a former political student, I could argue that Independent councillors are more often than not, a rather conservative bunch.

Indeed, I remember myself a former councillor by the name of Robert Heseltine, who, although an avowed independent, consistently supported the Conservative group on the council.

Coun Crawford seems very anxious that the Independents should not be co-operating with any political party. Could he then state categorically that the Conservative group would never accept such a working relationship with them, always assuming that the Conservatives still constitute a political party?

Incidently, to answer Paul Whitaker's point (March 7) concerning the state of Aireville plant nurseries, there are in fact plans to allow a community group called Stepping Stones to take over the area. I am mildly surprised that he didn't address this question earlier to the Conservative councillor for the ward (since 1997!), Marcia Turner. After all, he does live in the same house.

Darren Moorby,

Hillside Crescent, Skipton.