Hospital site called into question

It is indeed a great thing that this excellent hospital is to be redeveloped as part of the National Health Service's future.

It should be remembered, however, that Otley is already a traffic-soaked town and that there have recently been strong complaints in the Wharfedale Observer about lorry traffic in Newall Carr Road. What will traffic be like over the next two or three years of construction, or what when the 'new' hospital is fully operational?

In this connection, it must be pointed out, again, that the present proposed site of the hospital is at the extreme north-west edge of the Leeds Teaching Hospital's catchment area.

The hospital is intended not only to serve Otley town, but also some 11,000 households in Aireborough (Guiseley and Yeadon).

This means more than 20,000 people, many of whom will continue to travel, with public service difficulty, four to six miles (seven from Rawdon surgery) through those lousy lights at the bottom of Otley Kirkgate, round a couple of bends and over the narrow river bridge.

Continuing to site a local hospital at the far end of Otley is of no advantage to us. Too late now, but it has been quite illogical - as our two local Labour MPs will have well understood - to reject the concept of redeveloping the High Royds alternative in terms of the long term greater good for the greatest number.

One can only assume that this latter site has been earmarked by Leeds Labour Health Authority for profitable private development, in itself likely to generate even more Otley traffic.

G W M Britton (Mr)

21 St Johns Way,

Yeadon

Hospital disgust

SIR, - It would appear from reports in the Wharfedale Observer that the Wharfedale Hospital is to be rebuilt on its present location.

On behalf of myself and I am sure, many others, I am truly disgusted at what appears to be a final decision.

Do we realise that for the next 100 to 150 years, the 200,000 residents of Wharfedale will have to travel through the narrow twisting streets of the market town of Otley, to the very edge of the large catchment area of Wharfedale.

I do consider this decision, if it still goes ahead, as an insult to the members of HM armed forces, the Merchant Navy, and civilians who suffered and died making terrible sacrifices in the last war to ensure that Great Britain remained a true democratic country and that those elected to positions in government and authority would ensure that commonsense and honesty would prevail and be upheld for the welfare of the population.

We have gone through certain facts, ie, costs of rebuilding, the most sensible place to rebuild, etc. I have written to the Minister of Health, Mr Milburn. I sent a full report, also a plan of the whole Wharfedale area in April and asked for a public inquiry. I received a reply in June from Mr Mike Ramsden, chief executive, on behalf of Mr Milburn.

He states the need to get the new hospital in place as soon as possible. "This rebuilding, etc, has been going on now for some 30 years" and that planning approval could be achieved quickly. (Why not the same for building at High Royds, Menston?)

Regarding High Royds, he states that 'building space is limited and that planning approval would be complex with a risk of delay; also that the Department of the Environment could be involved and cause a further delay of 18 to 24 months.

He states that for High Royds similar planning constraints would apply for a new building (build the same plan hospital as is to be built at Otley).

He also states that private sector partner, when chosen, could identify alternative sites. The trust is required to consider any alternative sites.

Also that the health authority (Is this the Labour Government?) has need to be assured that the scheme will proceed to a timescale and within the cost identified.

He states that the present Government supports the trust's outline but still recognising that consideration should be given to any other site. They hope to complete building by early 2004. Many questions remained unanswered.

Norman Copsey

29 Whackhouse Lane,

Yeadon.

Get it right

SIR, with regard to the local schools issue, I feel it is time the Local Education Authority held its hand up and said, Stop, let's start all over again and get things right.

All along there has not been enough information released to parents of the schools concerned. Having read the report from Education Leeds about the Otley Primary School Provision, why did not every parent get a copy? I find it full of inaccuracies and faults. Maybe they need to go back to school themselves.

The most glaring error is the total bill for the work, in the proposed changes which they say is £550,000. Just how £185,000 for Ashfield; £250,000 for Westgate; and £300,000 for Lisker Drive, totals up to this is beyond me.

I am also amazed that they have seen fit to put up a closure notice at our school, yet they say they have not yet reached a decision on which schools are to close. Once again, it seems to show that Leeds doesn't care about what they do in Otley.

As another point, our Mayor's cause is Space to Grow, yet they are planning on cramming our kids into tiny, cramped classrooms while shutting the schools that have spacious classrooms to plenty of outside space.

John Ranfagni

99 The Oval,

Otley.

School closure

SIR, - Mr Andrew's enthusiastic enterprise and expertise concerning building conservation in Otley cannot and should not be ignored (Wharfedale Observer (July 5).

He, along with others, Councillor Phil Coyne, in particular, needs to be thanked for the preservation and conversion of the old church hall in Burras Lane; for the transformation of Appletree Fabrics in Leeds Road and for the conversion of the one time Liberal Club, Wesley Street/Courthouse Street.

Education Leeds came up with a decision to close All Saints Junior School. One can only assume that Education Leeds and others involved have or are making reasoned judgement. Two schools have to close. This is an economical and demographic fact.

Mr Andrew appears to be of the opinion that the decision will be to demolish North Parade school. Otley task force will not let this happen.

Nonetheless, to prepare North Parade school to ensure its compliance with the Disabled Discrimination Act, which comes into effect in 2004, would cost an arm and a leg. To make North Parade a building worthy of the third millennium would add even greater cost.

My concern is that these activists are stating that the authority can pull down or close any school except this. That simply is not on. Yes, Mr Andrew has my full support to retain this building, its shape, its shell, but not as a school.

Coun Ray Dunn

42 St David's Road,

Otley.

Cheap jibes

SIR, - I read the letter of Mr Dunn (letters 28, June) with some interest and not a little surprise. Of course, we can all have differences of opinion but the intemperate tone of Mr Dunn's letter leaves me disappointed that such a lack of reason and respect for the view of others has been introduced into the discussion.

It is all the more disappointing as Mr Dunn is an elected representative. As a lifelong Labour Party member, it does disturb me that what should be and, to date largely has been, a reasonable and balanced exchange of opinions over an issue of such profound importance to our town can be dragged down to this level.

It is all the more ironic given that Mr Dunn complains about the sarcasm of others and then makes such cheap jibes himself.

John Soussan

1 Riverdale Road,

Otley.

Traders' plight

SIR,- Why let the truth get in the way of a good story? Only four weeks ago the Wharfedale Observer's sister paper, The Target, was praising the traders in Oxford Road. You decided to undermine the many who have to earn a living by printing a bleak picture (Wharfedale Observer, June 21, 'Shops area becoming ghost town say traders').

More shops are open than have been for a long time; parking could be better but today (June 27) Oxford Road hairdressers' manager and two of his staff have parked there all day, two of the Carr Bank staff also. If people who work on Oxford Road park all day, how can customers park?

Mr M Williamson

140a Oxford Road,

Guiseley.

FOOTNOTE: As a community newspaper, we do not have a policy of undermining trade. Our report aimed to highlight and champion traders' fears. Our reporter visited a number of traders in the street and accurately reflected the feelings of the majority of businesses in that area. Some traders feel that prospects are bleak. In the wake of our report, Leeds City Council has promised to listen and consider traders' representations on parking issues - Editor.

Radio thanks

SIR, - On behalf of everyone at Guiseley FM Radio can we thank Vanessa Gibson and Ilkley Players for allowing us to record some of their rehearsals recently.

The material we recorded was used successfully during our month on air as part of the drama serial The Grimshaws. The soap opera featured a rehearsal of the play Oh What a Lovely War as part of Guiseley Festival.

The very professional performance from our friends in Ilkley gave the serial a welcome boost.

Not wishing to provoke any theatrical gremlins and superstitions we will resist the temptation to bestow any good luck on the Players trip to Cornwall.

However we do hope the people of the South West and any holidaymakers near the Minack Theatre will enjoy the outdoor performance when Oh What a Lovely War goes on tour this month

Graham Hoult

Annabel Verity

Co-writers of The Grimshaws,

Guiseley FM Radio