SIR - I, along with other private hire drivers, was extremely disappointed in the way the Council strenuously pursued the prosecution of Mr Obaid for dropping a fare off on a taxi rank (T&A, July 3).

Many of Bradford's private hire drivers feel that the Council treats the private hire trade with contempt, but looks favourably on its own (Hackney Taxis) whom it controls and sets the fares.

I agree with Linda Parker that more time, effort and money should be spent on prosecuting those who drive without licence, insurance, etc, and who put the unknowing public at risk.

The Hackney Council does not recognise the aggressive behaviour private hire drivers have to put up with when they cannot drop fares off at locations restricted to white plate taxis. Private hire drivers are confronted and challenged by passengers being told that all taxis are allowed into the restricted zones. The Council do not step in to prosecute the passengers who cause the aggravation.

The Council should treat the private hire trade fairly by ensuring that alongside or near each taxi rank there is space for at least one private hire pick-up/drop-off point, giving the trade some recognition. This would reduce tensions among the two factions.

Tahir Mahmood, Gladstone Street, Bradford.

SIR - I was horrified to read (T&A, July 5) that the Hindu Cultural Society has described the civic reception for the Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik as hurtful and biased.

We Kashmiris have never complained or tried to dictate who should visit the city, be it Indian or Pakistani or whoever.

Does Mr Husmuk Shah not realise he is hurting the feelings of the Kashmiri people living in Bradford, one of the largest ethnic minorities in the city?

We should always make guests feel welcome to our city and should celebrate diversity.

Sagir Ahmed, Aberdeen Place, Bradford 7.

SIR - It is gratifying to know that David Scougal (a member of the British Regeneration Association) shares my concerns about the unco-ordinated development of hotels in Bradford (June 23). It was also interesting to know that the Council are working behind the scenes to ensure that the 2020 Vision strategy happens.

Why can't the Council work openly on their strategy for Bradford's future? also shouldn't these two bodies be part of one regenerative scheme rather than holding differing views of the way forward?

Now the Holiday Inn fiasco adds a further twist - but never mind, more consultants have been called in to help (Councillor Eaton's quote).

One group has a £13 million grant from Yorkshire Forward. Didn't they speak to the British Urban Regeneration Association and look at Bradford's "co-ordinated " plan before doling out this not unsubstantial amount (30 per cent of cost)? Clearly not.

How can one of the development groups think that a new hotel is going to draw tourists? Tourists come to an area to see things and visit attractions, hotels are where they stay not why they come, and Bradford has 30 per cent of existing hotel rooms empty every night.

It is time to get the interested parties together and have one co-ordinated plan that is part of 2020 Vision and is very open and public.

William Oxley, Beck Lane, Bingley.

SIR - Regarding his letter about the proposed development of the tennis courts in Peel Park, Mr Firth seems to think that allowing cars to travel up and down pathways in a public park is a safe idea.

Surely allowing cars into a public park will cause much more inconvenience to members of the public and could well lead to accidents. In my opinion only Council and emergency vehicles should be allowed in a public park.

Colin Sunley, Ashbourne Gardens, Bradford.

SIR - The destruction of the Bingley section of the Aire Valley has already begun. Sections of the road have already been marked out, taped through peaceful marsh and meadow. Lovely groves of mature trees are already felled and Mark Rand seems not to give a hoot about this reality.

Like all of his colleagues in this area of destruction, he has not offered one word of regret or apology for the massacre of water-meadow and wildlife habitat. It is clear that he and his supporters have never strolled through the valley they are hell-bent on destroying.

I for one, will not visit Five Rise Locks again - my favourite Bingley place for the past 60 years. I prefer to remember the area as it was. Nor will I take my grandchildren there again. For they will expect to see what they have always seen - not what the pedantic elements of Better Bingley have decreed.

Frank Dickinson, Nab Wood Crescent, Shipley.

SIR - I strongly condemn the recent riots and feel ashamed that a hard-core minority has damaged our own community, which we have spent years building. The riots are far more outreaching then just racism; the problems lies within our own education authority policy.

You only have to look out of the door to see that Asians and white children are placed in separated schools because they live in specific areas. No attempt is made for children to understand different cultures and beliefs that exist within Bradford.

We Bradfordians have to unite and show the media that we are willing to work together and build strong relationships with each other in the best interest of our city.

Saqib Akram, Cecil Avenue, Bradford 7.

SIR - Ethnic segregation in Bradford, whether in terms of housing or education, is more as a result of the poverty of the city than of racism.

The concentration of the Asian population in the inner-city wards has occurred because that is where the cheaper property is found and many Asians are unemployed or in low-status, low-income jobs. However, this is also true of many white people.

The key to promoting "integration" within the community of Bradford lies in raising the standard of living of ALL of its people.

Inward investment is required, particularly in the manufacturing sector, but also in any other labour-intensive industry.

Once people are in work, they have a foot on the ladder and will, over time, climb up it and migrate to the suburbs and become less concentrated as a result, thus ensuring a more integrated society.

John A Stead, Rooley Avenue, Odsal, Bradford.

SIR - Re the proposed development at Lilycroft Walk, Manningham. During the war, boys from Lilycroft School were playing football on this strip of land when they felt the ground moving. They just made it to safety.

The covers on an old shaft had collapsed. The council fenced it off and filled it in. The shaft would be about 200 ft from the back street of Nearcliffe Road, about half way up.

G E Coates, Creskeld Way, Allerton.

SIR - Following the improvement to Lister Park, would it now be possible to do the same to Ladyhill Park?

Sir James and Lady Hill were generous in donating the area and it would be fitting to their memory to restore the park to its former glory.

Dennis Rhodes, Allerton Road, Bradford 15