Letters to the Editor

On Saturday night, I was approached by a conductor who was reluctant to take my fare because I didn't have a blue "permit to travel" ticket. He said that Arriva were going to "crack down" on people who boarded the train without them.

On a number of occasions, I found that after purchasing the permit, the train I wanted has been so badly delayed to warrant going on a bus, or cancelled altogether. As a result I've wasted my money.

What is the point of buying a permit for a train that might not turn up?

Could they also sort out the electronic display on platform 1 at Bingley station, which has been out of order for weeks? How are customers to know a train's on time (and thereby purchase a permit) if the display doesn't tell them anything?

Patrick Gray, Ebridge Court, Edward Street, Bingley.

SIR - So-called experts from across the political, religious and ethnic spectrum have pontificated on causes of recent problems.

The over-riding problem to be addressed is the decline in employment, particularly in manufacturing, in Bradford and surrounding areas. This removes incentives for our youth to become qualified in academic and practical skills, and they must be able to see that this will lead to worthwhile employment.

Certain decisions have been taken over the past five-to-six years freeing up what was previously Green Belt land as Enterprise Land. One major scheme is the private development of land occupied by West Bowling Golf Club.

Several thousands of jobs are forecast for the site, which as a member of this club gives me a problem, but if we are to solve some of the problems of the city, this has to take priority.

There appears to be no pressure at local or national level to get this project up and running.

Planning application was made in July 2000 and to the best of my knowledge, it is still languishing in the halls of Whitehall while Bradford suffers the highest levels of unemployment in West Yorkshire, according to latest figures.

Where is the Government which is committed to cutting red tape in this very important area?

John R Blundell, Matterdale Road, Dewsbury.

SIR - Some pertinent points need to be made if Bradford is not to witness more "racial" rioting in the future. Years of capital funding into so-called "deprived areas" have failed. Years of highlighting "Asian" or "West Indian" cultures/associations have merely aggravated the situation.

Only when this silly notion is scrapped and public bodies reflect the make-up of ethnic origin within their workforce as within the areas, is there any hope. There are hundreds of examples of "over-representation" too!

When the police stop ignoring petty crime such as driving round town with hi-fi blasting out and seat belts unfastened; when they try and prosecute all drug-dealing, however small, and treat crimes against whites as actually racist, instead of using theft as an excuse; then, and only then, might we see the tide turn.

Of course we all want racial harmony but it will only happen with a level playing field.

Councillor Roger Taylor (Con, Northowram & Shelf ward, Calderdale), Glen Terrace, Halifax.

SIR - Pakistanis now make up a large minority in this country, and surely if they wanted to integrate fully, they would not go back to the motherland for partners.

Is it any wonder that it is often Pakistanis and Bangladeshis who under-achieve at school and are not skilled enough to compete in the employment market? Incidentally, it has been the Pakistanis, and sometimes the Bangladeshis, who have rioted this summer.

To solve this foreign partners problem, we should bring back the primary purpose rule. As well as a language test, we should also bring in skills and qualification tests, so that they can gain adequate employment, instead of relying on benefits.

I Khan, Heaton Road, Bradford.

SIR - Well said, Ann Cryer, regarding the immigration policy. If we want to emigrate to New Zealand or Australia, we have to "earn" a certain number of points and have an amount of savings invested there.

This ensures that we can be of service to that country and we are in a position to exist without having to "sponge" from them. And quite right, too.

What a difference to the UK. Here we will allow anyone in regardless of ability or financial standing. No wonder we are going to the dogs.

J Taylor, Cockin Lane, Clayton.

SIR - In answer to Sarah Hodgon's letter in the T&A (July 27) where we all have to "...accept some responsibility for large numbers of young people, black and white, to grow up without feeling a sense of pride and belonging etc...".

Excuse me if I don't join in with this masochistic "beating yourself up", and as a by-product, providing young thugs with reasons for their stupid behaviour.

Excuse me if I pat myself on the back and take credit for the Chinese community being peaceful, hard-working and law-abiding. I'll also take credit for those black, white and Asian teenagers who are law-abiding and who walk the straight and narrow.

You and your well-meaning masochistic ilk go your way, Sarah Hodgson, and I'll go mine.

Peter Shaw, Woodroyd Terrace, Bradford 5.

SIR - Your correspondent (T&A July 27) does an injustice to Evie Manning (pictured right). She, along with other young women, has organised a Women's Peace Festival for August 18 on Centenary Square.

Think back to the riots on July 7. There were no women involved and in the subsequent media frenzy, all the "Community Leaders" quoted were men. This Festival is simply saying there are alternative voices with a non-violent agenda that need to be heard.

It has been a great pleasure for me over the past two weeks to work closely with Evie and her friends to make this event a success. We should celebrate our young people standing up and showing the way forward. After all, they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Anyone wishing to sponsor this event can send cheques payable to Rise Up Promotions c/o myself and I will pass them on.

Terry Rooney MP, 76 Kirkgate, Bradford BD1 1SZ.

SIR - Regarding your story "Puppy love" (July 28). May I congratulate The Gatehouse Veterinary Hospital for caring for Poppy and her nine puppies. It is refreshing to find that someone cares about these animals as opposed to the "cull" mentality which is rife at this time.

Terry Singh's remark about reporting the find to the police to give the owner the chance to reclaim them is ludicrous.

Anyone abandoning dogs in this manner obviously doesn't want them, and if found, should be prosecuted! As for a seven-day stay of execution if passed on to the Dog Warden, words cannot express my disgust at this practice. Something else has to be done to stop the slaughter of these innocent animals.

There must be a lot of retired people who would love to take on a dog and give it a loving home but cannot afford the initial outlay (possibly £50) charged by dog welfare groups. So why not abolish this charge for retired people and also give them help with some of their future veterinary charges?

Trevor Williams-Berry, Bredon Avenue, Wrose.