Letters to the Editor

SIR, - The Bradford District of CPRE is very please to learn that the Transport Secretary, Alistair Darling, has asked that further research work be carried out before a £5,000,000 bypass to the Manor Park Bends on the A65 is approved (as you reported on December 12).

In June this year CPRE wrote to Bradford Council saying we recognised this section of road has had a high accident level during the past year, including fatalities, but we believed that for many years the major issue has been excess speed. Furthermore, insufficient attention has been given to simpler solutions of traffic calming. Specifically we wish to see the speed limit reduced to 40 mph, that cameras be installed to monitor this and traffic islands built to assist local residents (and staff and customers of the Little Chef) walk safely across the road to public transport and access local roads, car parks and driveways.

To undertake a major road scheme on this sensitive green belt and flood plain site before a much cheaper and simpler scheme has been tried and tested is both irresponsible environmentally and does not represent value for money.

We understand that a 40 mph speed limit has recently been approved and is to be introduced shortly on the A65 from the end of the Burley bypass to the Ben Rhydding boundary.

We encourage the Highways Agency and Bradford Council to add to this speed limit both speed cameras and safety traffic islands before considering or approving this £5,000,000 bypass.

We understand that Councillor Anne Hawksworth supports completing and researching these environmentally sensitive solutions before the bypass is approved. We are surprised and disappointed that Councillor Chris Greaves and Burley Community Council do not and wish to proceed immediately to the construction of the bypass.

Since it is the Government who must ultimately approve this scheme we are pleased that they see the need to first research the outcome of the environmentally less damaging (and cheaper) solutions.

R Tilley

Committee Member,

CPRE,

Bradford Branch.

Mural idea

SIR, - The T&A's Asian Newspaper, Asian Eye set me thinking. Apart from window box displays our central car park is a drab, rather unwelcoming place.

Various suggestions have been broached to brighten up the area, but all cost considerable money. However if we take an idea from Shipley, it could be done on a lower budget.

A mural. In the top left of the car park stands a blank white wall. Ideal for a mural of Ilkley, depicting it's Roman heritage, White Wells, Cow and Calf, cup and ring stones, bluebell woods, moors and river.

In my travels throughout the country I have seen similar murals in Bristol, Durham, Liverpool, Yeadon, Bradford, Leeds and if one goes further afield, the continent.

Mexico City is the mural capital of the world. What a superb way of depicting what we have to offer the world in an artistic manner. While covering a blank wall which adds nought to an otherwise uninteresting car park.

No doubt there will be detractors of the idea, but wait, what do people come to Ilkley to see? Art in the Manor House, art at the various festivals, art on our moorland, art in the town's many picture shops. So why not art on a blank wall in the car park?

Our pre-historic forebears set a precedent when they carved their cup and ring motifs. Also Ilkley is home to an internationally acclaimed mural artist. Metro Arts, part of Bradford Council, is looking for another site to be painted. For more information contact Shaun Fagan Tel: 01274 435859.

FRAZER IRWIN

Queens Road, Ilkley,

West Riding of Yorkshire

Grateful mum

SIR, - As the mother involved in the recent school fees wrangle with a local independent school, I would like to thank family, friends and people I don't even know who kindly wrote to me, for their support.

Before I put the last 18 stressful months behind me and look to the future, I would like to say a very big thank-you to Mrs Drake, head teacher; Mrs Hamill, Year 6 teacher, and all the staff at Addingham Primary School.

Without their care and dedication, my daughter would not be the confident, happy person she is today.

Mrs Drake, your school motto 'Putting children first' could not be more appropriate. A very happy Christmas and New Year to you all.

J C BERRY

Sackville Road,

Silsden.

Run thanks

SIR, - A few months ago, I ran in the Great North Run as part of a fundraising exercise for L'Arche, and have been overwhelmed by the level of sponsorship which has to date exceeded £6,000.

A significant part of this has come from the local community, and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the many sponsors for this tremendous support.

The purpose of this letter is also to see if any readers with confirmed places in the 2003 London Marathon might like to run for L'Arche and raise money for people with learning disabilities. Equally, if anyone would like to join the L'Arche 2003 Great North run team, I would be delighted to hear from them.

L'Arche's aim is to build communities where people with learning disabilities can grow in skills and confidence through friendships, opportunity and choice in all areas of life. Marathons are a great way to raise vital funds for our work, and also have the benefit of giving participants a huge sense of personal achievement.

We would be happy to send anyone interested a sponsorship pack.

John Peet

General Secretary,

L'Arche,

10 Briggate,

Silsden.

Christian roots

SIR, - As we approach Christmas, it has once again been my pleasure to visit the fair town of Ilkley.

Whilst I must applaud the local council and businesses for the quality of the festive lights, I could not help but notice what appeared to be illuminated Roman soldiers as one enters the town centre from the east and west on the A65.

Although it is easy to forget it amongst all the tinsel and wrappings, we must remind ourselves of the Christian origin of this festival time.

Olicana is rightly proud of its Roman roots, but I query if it is appropriate for the soldiery who played their part in the tragedy of the Easter story to be celebrated in this manner.

Rev D BROCKENSHAW (Rtd)

The Old Manse,

Church Close,

Collaton St Mary,

Nr Paignton,

Devon.

Keep lights

SIR, - Isn't it a pity that we have a community council that has nothing better to do than go around collecting signatures because we have a few bright lights outside a pub.

We have so much vandalism in Burley, why don't they and the 200 followers try looking after Burley? I am a pensioner, Burley born and bred, and I daren't go out alone at night.

Whyanybody would want to stop people working beggars belief. Keep the lights shining.

RESIDENT

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

(Name and address supplied).