SIR - The Broadway redevelopment is a chance to put right the vandalism inflicted on Bradford in the 1960s - the decade that beauty forgot.

A downmarket development in White Rose Centre-style yellow brick will not only be a blot on the city, it will confirm Bradford's status as a third-rate shopping centre for the next 20 to 30 years.

In case the planners haven't noticed, Leeds is now one of the top five shopping destinations in Britain. Winning back shoppers requires a quality development that competes with the best of Leeds - anything else is a waste of time.

Some shoppers are put off Bradford by its violent reputation, but another factor is its hilliness. The Broadway site is the only subtantial "flat" area in the centre. The Council has got to get it right here.

Ian Sykes, Guernsey Road, Croftlands, Dewsbury

SIR - Following recent letters I am pleased that I am not a lone voice - it seems many people want the payment of high salaries to people doing overlapping roles to be explained.

The Council leader is unfortunately unwell at the moment, but her PA has promised me a response to my request that she set up an open meeting on her return to health. Given the support shown in your Letters page, I am anticipating a positive reply.

All I, and I am sure others, want is an explanation of the different roles and why they are all needed. This is about openness and accountability for the trust we put in both elected and non-elected public officers to spend our money wisely.

In a similar vein I am delighted that a tough stance is being taken on bonus payments for non-achievement of targets in education. Nor should future targets be made easier

William Oxley, Beck Lane, Bingley BD16

SIR - Re Uzair Ahmed's letter of December 13 regarding the behaviour of the police while apprehending "a poor man who did not look like a robber."

As Mr Ahmed does not have any knowledge of what led to this incident, his allegation that all efforts to aid Bradford recover its reputation after racist riots will be destroyed are nonsense.

The report concerning vicious carjackers (T&A, same day) does more to perpetuate many people's perception of Bradford as a dangerous city. Perhaps Mr Ahmed's sympathy would be better placed with the car-less Nick Stamp.

P Hollyoak, Stanley Road, Bradford 2

SIR - I would suggest Mr Rhodes (Letters, December 12 ) does not know that much about animals.

I have an African Grey parrot and I know from experience that he can easily snap a kitten's bone with his sharp beak. It is not natural to have predators in cages next to their prey.

Are all these supporters (friends?) of Mr Booth at Luther Wright's pet shop suggesting that two independent vets don't know their job? If people want to buy kittens or puppies then there are plenty to go around at the various rescue centres, or even plenty of breeders for those who want a pedigree one.

I have also been in Mr Booth's shop and while he may be an excellent animal food supplier I prefer to believe the evidence of my own eyes and the evidence of qualified vets.

Sue Donald, Wesley Avenue, Low Moor

SIR - There is discussion nowadays about children playing truant. I strongly believe that whatever children are taught up to the age of ten or 11 stays in their mind for the rest of their lives. Therefore it's the parents' responsibility to make sure that the children are brought up properly, go to school on time regularly and above all do their homework without fail.

I had the best teachers/tutors in my schools and colleges in Pakistan and in Bradford. Therefore credit for my success in good communication goes to them and I can't express enough a long-overdue gratitude to them.

The children who play truant are the children who are left behind the class or are too intelligent for it and get bored.

Mubarik Iqbal, Oulton Terrace, Bradford 7

Sir - Re Jack MacPherson's letter (T&A, December 11) about crime and violence in Bradford, saying that the fear of crime may be worse than actual incidence,and that people need to try and erase the violent and negative image that is engrained in so many heads.

Well Jack,the timing of your letter couldn't be worse. While the ink on your letter was still drying, the T&A published the latest figures for Bradford, from West Yorkshire Police - you must have missed them.

Inthe past 12 months, robberies up 45 per cent, violent crime up 41 per cent. Is this a negative image? If you can erase these staggering figures, good luck to you,but please don't tell us that we need to. Everyone can make their own mind up. I think they'll take more notice of the police view than yours.

You're not a politician are you Jack, or related to Councillor Richardson? He'll have had an headache with those figures.

Gary Lorriman, Long Lane, Bingley BD16

SIR - Mr Robinson in his letter to the T&A states that the idea to move Bradford's archives from the city was my idea (December 10). This is incorrect. The idea to move to a new archives centre is that of the officers of the West Yorkshire Archives.

As a member of the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee I have been fighting Bradford's corner to ensure the residents of Bradford District retain access to their archives and history. To this end it was my report to the Conservative Group and Leader of the Council that initiated action being taken to look into what could be done to safeguard the historic heritage of Bradford district. This is ongoing.

Mr Robinson also states that Bradford does not have a specialist location. We do of course have the archives centre on Canal Road.

Councillor Michael Walls, City Hall, Bradford 1

SIR - Some months ago I wrote a letter to the T&A concerning the toileting of dogs on the rugby pitch at the top of Beldon Lane. After this things seemed to get better but recently things have gone back to how they were before.

I don't know what it will take to get through to these people. I thought after the recent report in your paper about someone being fined £400 things would change. Not only do these people have no concern for the health of the men and children who play on the pitch, they must have more money than sense to risk getting fined.

Michelle Garside, Julian Drive, Clayton Heights, Bradford.

SIR - Having just successfully completed my public relations and news management course with the always tactful Jo (Bury the Statistics) Moore, I've set up as a life-style guru. I'm starting off by taking Cherie to a pantomime. Does anyone know where they're doing Pinnochio? Don't you just love the way his nose gets larger with every porkie he tells?

Sid Brown, Glenhurst Road, Shipley.