SIR - I always thought it a bit of a hoot to award Saltaire world heritage status. Until we floodlight parts of Roberts Park we can't pretend to possess an idyllic village fit for tourists and locals to wander about.

The dog walkers in this area are now very loath to use the park in winter evenings. It's bad enough in the pitch dark, but to be confronted by sub-human teenage lads in all their glory takes the biscuit.

For years now the park has been a haven for glue sniffers, teenage drinkers and wreckers. How the cricket club can function as a prestige Bradford League Cricket club must be one of the eight wonders! My heart goes out to the groundsman who strives to provide recreation for the young junior members.

Indeed, the club is a shining example of multi-culturalism with their mixed first team. They really deserve better protection. And so do we, the locals.

Manningham is perceived by many to have a bad reputation, but by all accounts their marvellously-refurbished park has been left in all its glory. So much for the heritage of the local youths from the environs of Saltaire!

B A Houseman, Coach Road, Baildon.

SIR - On Tuesday, February 4 while waiting for a train at Shipley station, I was approached by two police officers and quizzed. There has been a series of muggings in the station and police were approaching people and taking their details in order to clamp down on this menace.

I have no objections to this. It is good to see police actively doing something about it. However, I hope that the police are not just targeting male passengers such as myself and another man who was present on the platform at the time.

As I understand, a pregnant woman was recently harassed by a FEMALE mugger in that same station, so I hope that the unfair and unjust stereotyping of men as only being responsible for these and other crimes in this matter is being overlooked, and that the police patrolling Shipley rail station are also questioning suspicious-looking women.

Particularly those in groups of three or more.

Carl Smith, Peel House, Crossley Wood Road, Bingley.

SIR - I read with interest a letter from B Bryar of Shipley (T&A, January 30). I fully agree with the comment about the area panels and the undemocratic way they were formed.

We were specifically told at the very beginning of the council house transfer moves that we would be able to put candidates forward or stand ourselves should we wish. This was more than two years ago.

We were also told that a chance to vote or select our choice would be given to us. None of this materialised. At least, nobody I know knew anything about it.

Then, hey presto, they have been formed and in position. So much for democracy.

W H Morey, Sycamore Close, Bradford 3.

SIR - Congratulations to M Zafar for his February 6 letter contradicting the comments of Sal Lal regarding "reduced sentences." It's about time other Muslims came out and supported him. He is courageous.

He is absolutely correct. The race riots had a profound effect on the indigenous population of Bradford, and only time itself can heal this wound, but these reduced sentences again opened up the sore.

That's why the insensitive timing of the Culture Bid was such a disgrace. The people had no heart for it. It was pioneered by those on good salaries, with the aim of undermining the significance of the riots. They should be ashamed, but they are still here! Keep writing, Mr Zafar.

Gary Lorriman, Long Lane, Harden, Bingley

SIR - There is now daily traffic chaos as buses, cars, lorries, battle their way along Cottingley Road and Cottingley Moor Road at peak times.

The Bryant Homes development added more than 90 new houses, and twice this number of cars to the daily exodus. The Cottingley Moor Road development will add yet more congestion. But we have not finished yet!

Bradford Council has sent Sandy Lane residents in the Stone Street and Spring Street areas notice of yet another planning application for residential building, which will sweep away a small horticultural business (much valued by the local community) and choke side streets and the main road with even more vehicles.

The time has come for Sandy Lane residents to again say "no" to builders and the destructive force of their work. Residents of Sandy Lane have less than three weeks to register their collective protest to Bradford Council Planning office about this new building development.

There is also a petition against this development that can be signed at the local electrical service shop in the village.

Colin Neville, Stone Street, Bradford 15.

SIR - Re the letter from D Jewitt (February 7) about foxes being vermin. He states that "they kill smaller animals indiscriminately, not just a single chicken for its dinner but dozens".

I know another species that does the same - human beings. Are we too then vermin?

Foxes do a service to the land owners by killing rabbits which destroy crops, rats which carry disease, and mice (certainly town foxes do)!

Jenny Sampson, Rossmore Drive, Allerton.

SIR - We are currently putting together a 60-page publication on the history of West Bowling spanning the 18th century to the end of the 20th century.

If any of your readers could help by lending us any old photographs of some of West Bowling's old streets, shops, schools, places of worship or pubs and clubs, etc, please contact us at the address or telephone number below.

We've recently found some old photocopied pictures in a collection put together by M Cochrane under the title 'A study of Christianity in West Bowling' dated 1968. If any of your readers know of the author please do contact us - it's quite important.

Alan O'Day Scott, 20 Weller Close, Bowling Old Lane, West Bowling, Bradford, BD5 7BQ (01274 391432).

SIR - Having previously supported the plans for City Hall I am now convinced that it is best to leave this landmark building as it is.

It would be a good idea if, like Mike Priestley suggested, the building was opened up like a stately home with tour guides showing off the Victorian splendours.

Perhaps the unused spaces could be used as an art gallery and a nice caf and restaurants.

Hold open-air markets in Centenary Square, but leave the square as it is. It will be enhanced by the cafes and bars development on the Provincial House site and by the redevelopment of the Tyrls that could become a conference and exhibition centre.

Jack MacPherson, Killinghall Road, Bradford 3.

SIR - Two days after the snow fell I sat at my window watching cars struggle to get up the street where I live, which only has a small incline.

I also watched elderly people risking life and limb on iced-up pavements to get to the shops.

Where has all the council tax paid in every year for our benefit gone? Surely we are entitled to some clearance of dangerous ice and snow on our streets and pavements.

If I fall and hurt myself on an iced pavement I will sue this Council till their eyes water.

Martin Boocock, Woodbine Grove, Idle.

SIR - In response to letters of E Cliffe, regarding the roundabout at Thornbury. We the residents have stood our ground. We want the Thornbury roundabout to be the main attraction in Thornbury.

A statue of a famous person should be placed in the middle. Also it is the biggest roundabout in Europe. A sign should be put up to tell people it is.

John Riley, Peckover Drive, Pudsey.

SIR - Although I dislike graffiti, I had to laugh when I saw that someone had written "RIP" on a statue in Peel Park.

Catherine R Thomas, Grovelands, Bradford 2.