Letters to the Editor

I was surprised to hear such an incident had taken place at Airedale Hospital, a place I worked and trained at as a nurse several years ago. I always used to think of it as one of the best hospitals I had worked at in my nursing career.

However, I was surprised by comments from the hospital spokesperson. No nurse saw anything happening? What if it had been an intruder who had intentions of harming a child who had managed to gain access to the ward?

It has been suggested that there will be a risk-management meeting to discuss the incident. May I suggest: more staff, better security, and an end to "sloppy" inadequate procedures.

Staffing levels were defended. How? If there had been enough staff the incident would not have happened!

If both children were observed "closely", then how did the disabled child crawl unnoticed from one room to another and pick up the baby girl? There's no way I would call that being closely monitored!

Anton Clark, Porters Avenue, Dagenham, Essex.

SIR - Why are there no deterrent measures in place to combat the tide of violence/murders which occur on a daily basis? Let's have a referendum on the death penalty.

It is all right for Tony Blair and his Government. They step from one cosy door and into another. They hardly set foot on the street.

There are councillors and MPs stressing overcrowding in our prisons. Do the Government not realise or have the guts to impose what the general public now want - the death penalty and long jail sentences so they can live life in peace and feel safe in their own homes?

At present the public have to take preventive measures to protect themselves.

If the deterrent is in place the prisons will not be as over-crowded as they are at present.

S Ratcliffe, Middle Lane, Clayton.

SIR - Your editorial comment of December 27 acknowledges the fact that the relief road, when completed, will merely remove congestion from Bingley centre and divert it to Saltaire.

It is remarkable that large sums are invested in road building, which contribute little in reducing congestion, while measures which would prove successful are avoided.

The building of a cross-Bradford heavy rail link between the two stations would provide direct services from Skipton and Ilkley to Manchester and Huddersfield. This would avoid changing at Leeds or walking between the two stations, factors which have discouraged passengers from travelling on trains.

This would help to reduce traffic volumes on the Aire and Wharfe corridors.

The reopening of the Spen Valley to rail would improve access from the south, providing Bradford with opportunities for direct services to Sheffield, and reducing congestion on the M1 and M62.

It is now time that Bradford Council and Metro campaigned for the above improvements to the Strategic Rail Authority, rather than accepting a sub-standard service for Bradford.

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

SIR - During the past few days we have been treated to letters from Council leader Margaret Eaton attempting to justify Bradford Vision and the nauseating salaries paid to its employees.

Nothing she said tells us what they exactly do. Whatever it is, I can't see any evidence of improvement in anything around the district.

A few years ago the Council did all that was necessary to keep services alive and kicking.

Now here we go again with another expensive appointment of a person to put the buzz back into Bradford.

I'll do both jobs, Vision Chief Executive and the buzz job, for free - starting by giving both of them the boot.

Now that should give 'em a buzz.

Beam me up Scotty.

Barry Foster, Gilstead Lane, Gilstead, Bingley.

SIR - I disagree with Councillor Sowman (January 2) that the opinions of the Thornbury Residents Association reflect the views of all Thornbury residents regarding the proposal to erect a feature on the roundabout. As there has not been any public consultation on the matter, I believe Thornbury Residents Association have over-stepped the mark once again.

While they can (and should) speak for their members, they have no mandate to speak for all Thornbury residents or indeed citizens of Bradford on what is after all public property.

Three years ago they got their way to retain the land as a recreation area for their children to use. I pass this land on a daily basis and have yet to find children playing there.

If once again Thornbury Residents Association get their way, may I suggest that they are made responsible for the costs of maintenance of the area so that the burden is not shouldered by other council tax payers.

As for the Newlands Partnership it cannot be a partnership if the only people to benefit are council tenants.

The only true democratic way to resolve this is by having a referendum of all the people of Bradford.

A Everson, Elsworth Avenue, Bradford Moor.

SIR - I was amazed to read in the T&A that Buttershaw St Paul's Amateurs are asking people to pay £13 for adults and £11 for children and pensioners to see their latest production. Surely simple logic should tell them that at a much more sensible price of £6 or £4 they would almost certainly attract three times as many people to leave their homes on a winter's night to see their amateur show.

This would not only give more cash now, but many first-timers like me could afford to go, and might go again in the future. At present prices the audience will probably consist largely of friends and relatives of the cast.

P Truebridge, Oakham Walk, Bradford 4

A spokesman for Buttershaw St Paul's AODS said: "Often audiences are unaware of the cost of producing a quality show at city-centre venues. Our budget for Mack & Mabel at St George's Hall is £31,000. With expected ticket sales of 2,800 for the week, using the prices suggested would incur a loss of £14,200 - equivalent to the cost of the hire of the theatre, lighting, microphones and orchestra.

"We choose to sell only seats which give a good view, thus limiting the potential income but hopefully creating a happy audience. Over the past two years ticket prices have not changed, only increasing this year to cover the cost of staging Mack & Mabel. During that time we have given over £7,500 (from the main production, a youth pantomime and a summer show) to local charities. The aim of our society is to provide an enjoyable hobby for all members and to be able to help charities. We feel that both are important.

"Theatregoers are faced with ticket prices of around £25 for a professional show and we have a reputation for producing just that, at half the price. I can assure Mr Truebridge that he would experience more than half the pleasure."