Letters to the Editor

For those of us with special children we have the added guilt that our children's educational, social and emotional development will be affected by the move.

Good educational provision is very hard to find as Mrs Harrison has found to her own and Alex's cost. Despite doing all the right things, contacting the right people, giving as much notice as possible, her son has effectively lost months of education whilst Bradford LEA try to reduce costs by pushing for him to be educated with inadequate support.

It is a situation which if the LEA has its way is set to get worse. The plans to effectively reduce special schools and the number of places available, because they say parents are choosing mainstream education, does not take into account that for many like Mrs Harrison there is no choice.

Nor does it take in to account that their own educational policy is to push special children into mainstream education (without providing the specialist support to schools).

There is a lack of imagination surrounding special educational provision in this area which is alarming. Children are all different, but despite this parents are made to choose either special or mainstream education with no flexibility to allow special children or their teachers to access the expertise currently in special education and vice versa.

If the parents of special children were asked what they felt their children needed educationally, many would list units within mainstream schools as an ideal, although the reality is they are practically non existent.

This lack of imagination also does not consider how easily a special child can become socially isolated in mainstream education, particularly if they are never able to meet children with similar difficulties.

Unfortunately, Mrs Harrison's experience is one that will keep happening until Bradford Education begins to looks at children's needs rather that what they actually perceive them to be.

Karen Mcnulty

Information Officer

Downs Syndrome Support Group, Elm View, Steeton

SIR - I, like the majority of Keighley residents and those who commute to Keighley, will be delighted and will welcome any measures that will improve the traffic problems we have in the town.

I am surprised at Cllr George Edge's comments "he and his colleagues on the council's traffic, transport and environment committee were not aware we had traffic problems in the town." Maybe they should consider employing Mr Geoffrey Dyson as a consultant.

I note from the proposal as detailed in the Keighley News there is no mention of the potential impact of Asda coming to town.

I would also suggest that other organisations may have future plans that will also have an impact upon the proposals. Has the business community been consulted?

No doubt the proposals will have a major financial impact, and as Councillor Edge states will take some time to achieve. I therefore suggest that there are ways the current situation could be improved as follows:

Stop illegal parking on single and double yellow lines; stop double parking; stop people from parking in the loading area in Cavendish Street; enforce the use of the yellow hatched box areas on the two main traffic island in the town; enforce the new no right turn out of Alice Street; enforce the no parking outside schools (have you ever tried to drive up Greenhead Road at school leaving time?); enforce the highway code with regard to the distance one is allowed to park from a junction; ensure that those who use disabled parking discs are legally entitled to use them, and ensure their use complies with the highway code; and enforce speed restrictions

The enforcement of the above will not have any financial impact, as we still have, I think, some traffic wardens and police in the town whose job it used to be to ensure these rules were adhered to.

DICK TAYLOR

Greenhead Road, Utley

SIR - With reference to the letter from Mr JP Morrisroe of West Lane in a recent issue.

Keighley Town Council is very puzzled by Mr Morrisroe' s letter as the Town Council does not appear to have received an approach from Mr Morrisroe for assistance with gardening, and would in any case not be in a position to help as the Town Council cannot provide services at present.

Individual Town Councillors are, however, very willing to help and to advise Mr Morrisroe where he might obtain assistance from voluntary organisations, and this is being actively followed up.

"Keighley in Bloom" is the annual entry by the Metropolitan District Council's Recreation Department to the national "Britain in Bloom" competition and it is actively supported by Keighley Town Centre Management, by many local businesses and, for the first time in 2003, by Keighley Town Council, which is actively encouraging local schools to become involved.

Cllr Graham Mitchell

Acting Proper Officer

Keighley Town Council

SIR - I am following the Oakworth Children's Home controversy with some astonishment.

Despite the politically fashionable status of Government Social Inclusion Policy, local MPs, Councillors and Social Services should not make the mistake of believing they hold the moral authority to simply impose such initiatives upon communities who will be adversely affected. This policy creates conflict to the detriment of needy children.

Fortunately, I can suggest a solution which may be useful. Bradford Council, Central Government and the EU should join forces to construct Europe's largest, most modern Children's Home on the site of the former Provincial House opposite City Hall.

Let us give these children the facility they deserve. They matter more than an arts centre. Spin off advantages include: closure of all other homes around the District will raise funds from land sales; a central location means children and staff can use public transport as per Council policy; the presence of employees 24 hours a day will help kick start Bradford's desired 'round the clock City' status; a meaningful expression of Bradford's Socialist, philanthropic tradition; and, an improved image for the City around the globe.

Many will think this idea ridiculous. However, is it any more barmy than current policy?

Neil A Ramsden

Cavendish St

Keighley

SIR - Cllr Brian Hudson of Keighley Town Council forcibly brought to my attention that the charity he chairs, Keighley Community Transport, including Dial-a-Ride, was very nearly destroyed by mindless vandals, whose parents of course must know of the actions of their progeny.

In the process they nearly shattered the ability of some of the 40,000 local people who use these services to exist with dignity.

Cllr Hudson is therefore rightly full of praise for many private citizens and those Bradford District Councillors, of both major parties, who came to the rescue of KCT.

Obviously, not being a party politician, Cllr Hudson had previously ruffled a few of the political feathers situated in Bradford. Nevertheless, the fact that Bradford party political people, who could have ignored him, rallied around his organisation, necessitates that I eat large amounts of humble pie.

Finally, I have to ask, why does not Keighley Town Council seem able to help a fellow Councillor and a major part of Keighley Community when both have their backs to the wall? Could it be that he, and others, including myself, asked sensitive and embarrassing questions of some of the present leadership of Keighley Town Council? They couldn't be that spiteful, could they?

David Samuels

Station Road, Oxenhope

SIR - Any of your readers who are concerned about the threat of war on Iraq may like to know that there is a Regional Rally to oppose this war in Bradford on Saturday, January 18.

The rally will assemble in Lister Park (Oak Lane end) at 12 noon and at 1pm it will depart for Centenary Square.

Supporters from Keighley will be meeting at the main entrance to Cartwright Hall inside the Park from 12 noon onwards. It is easy to get to Lister Park from Keighley, either by bus (Service 662) or train (Frizinghall station). For further information, contact Cherry Connolly on 01535 671008.

CHERRY CONNOLLY

Devonshire Street West,

Keighley

SIR - It was with shock and horror that on Christmas Day I saw on TV's Ceefax or Teletext that the Bishop of York had openly declared that war with Iraq could be necessary.

Did not the Hon Bishop realise that he was condoning the possible slaughter of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Iraq?

Did he not appreciate that our Government did not have a mandate from the democratic British population to wage war against any country, including Iraq?

The statement made by the Hon Bishop is not worthy of a distinguished and Christian dignitary, and it is contrary to the morals and principles of the Christian faith.

Perhaps the Christian dynasty may be interested in the Hon Bishop's statement on Iraq?

KEN MATHER

Greenhead Road, Utley

SIR - In KN, January 3, we are urged to recycle our Christmas rubbish at our local waste site.

The Wesley Place site in Silsden is an area of craters and holes full of water caused by the vehicles collecting the waste. The council state they cannot afford to rectify this so I put all my waste straight into my bin.

Considering they have spent £1 million on a city of culture bid, are planning to employ a publicity officer for £100,000 per year and are considering shutting half the toilets in the district to raise money to upgrade the rest, I feel they have lost the plot regarding the function of a Council.

GEORGE HARRIS

Rombalds Crescent,

Silsden

SIR - I am writing on behalf of Keighley Lions to say a sincere thank you to all those people who helped and contributed to our various Christmas appeals

Thank you to the staff at Worth Valley Railway for enabling us to provide a day to remember for 150 children on the Santa Special. Thank you to the Directors and staff at Stephen Smiths for all their help with the Santa Grotto in the Garden Centre in Harden.

Thank you to the staff at Colin Appleyard's and the members of the Keighley Explorers for all their help with the Santa Sleigh.

Finally, thank you to the people of Keighley who gave so generously.

ERIC ACOMB.

President,

Keighley Lions Club.

SIR - In reply to ex-nurse Molly Jones' comments as to nurses not knowing how to treat cancer patients.

This has upset me greatly as my husband has had the best treatment anyone could have. We have visits every day from Kilmeny surgery nurses, also our GP Dr Preshaw. We have Manorlands nurses and Dr Wade visiting also.

I would like to mention staff on wards 22, 15 and 3 from "Mr" to tea ladies, they are angels. So, Molly, get in there and help instead of moaning.

MRS SMITH

Harewood Rise, Bogthorn

SIR - Re Ex-nurse calls for specialist Cancer Nursers.

"One in four" will develop cancer, that is the latest authoritative estimate.

I strongly believe we must have the help of the Macmillan Cancer Nurses to meet this challenge.

Macmillan Cancer funds a nurse for three years, on condition that the Primary Care Trust take over the funding thereafter.

Of the four Primary Care Trusts who have assumed the responsibilities of the old Bradford Health Authority, only the Airedale PCT is not using Macmillan Cancer Nurses.

Palliative care is a term applied to the treatment of incurable disease, in which the aim is to lessen the suffering of the patient, not to effect a cure.

The palliative care provided in Airedale NHS Trust and at the Manorlands hospice is excellent, and in no way am I criticising it. However, this area has been unnecessarily deprived of the benefits of Macmillan Cancer Nurses for nearly 20 years.

For 20 years we have been told that the Craven Area of North Yorks is too rural to employ Macmillan Cancer Nurses, but now they have one employed by Harrogate & Rural PCT based at Skipton General Hospital.

Macmillan Nurses are cancer specialist nurses who care for patients and their families who are living with cancer.

MOLLY JONES

Birchwood Drive,

Utley

SIR - I have been watching the situation on Parkwood Street and have been wondering why there is no 20 miles per hour speed limit posted from the Shoulder of Mutton public house to the Globe public house.

I'm sure that when drivers see a 20 miles per hour zone they would curb their speed. Parkwood Street is a built-up area where many children play.

In other estates there are severe speed restrictions. I can assure you that the three traffic calming measures on Parkwood Street do not do the job!

Parkwood Street is a main highway and alternative to the town centre, but it should be kept safe. Is the Highways Department turning a blind eye to keep the traffic from congesting the town centre? Or will it take a serious accident to finally have speed control signs put up?

BRIAN WOOD

Carlisle Street, Parkwood

SIR - Your report entitled "Jobs or homes?" failed to provide the full facts behind the recent planning application for our premises at Lane Ends, Cowling, which is currently used for contracted vehicle preparation and storage.

Since the relocation of our principle place of business from North Ends, Cowling, to the Crossings Business Park in Cross Hills, Walter C Brigg has grown considerably. As a consequence, we have looked closely at one unfortunate downside of this success - the increase in the number of journeys being undertaken to move vehicles between the two sites on a daily basis.

As a long-established family business we are acutely aware of the current volume of traffic and associated congestion that prevails through the villages of Glusburn and Cross Hills, and would prefer to contribute towards reducing the associated levels of pollution together with the road safety risk for both pedestrians and school children.

Coupled with this the existing Saw Mills at Lane Ends, which were built at the turn of the 19th Century and are now bordered by private homes on three sides, are no longer practical for the volume of vehicles which we handle. The premises are also in need of extensive repairs and refurbishment and have little or no facilities to accept the increased number of new and used vehicle transporter deliveries that are envisaged in the future.

The relocation will provide our staff with a brand-new, purpose-built facility capable of providing a clean, modern and efficient service to our customers whilst minimising damage to the environment, reducing pollution to pedestrians and inconvenience to other road users.

Richard Brigg

Joint-Managing Director

Walter C Brigg Limited

SIR - I wish to thank Cllr Roberts for the help she has given me over the months.

J CUTHILL

Elmwood Drive, Keighley