SIR - Having been born in Bradford and lived here for the past 54 years, I have never felt that it was anything particularly special - just another northern city, but it always felt like home.

However, I now no longer feel much affinity for "boarded-up, rundown Bradford".

Multiculturalism is OK providing that one culture doesn't become too dominant, thus losing the fine balance required to make it work.

In practice, however, it is usually a desperate "paper over the cracks" concept propounded by politicians, professors and philosophers, most of whom don't have to actually live with it and even more importantly haven't a clue what to do about it when things don't work out as planned from their little ivory towers.

Surely it's in all our best interests to try and get along, but I can't see much hope for long-term harmony or understanding if one section has to permanently bite its tongue, unable to voice any opinions or criticisms for fear of being branded racist every time.

R Meeke, Albert Avenue, Idle.

SIR - Prostitution! The oldest occupation in the world, and Detective Superintendent Dodd is going to spend thousands to try to stop it (T&A, May 8).

It would be more profitable to get some of his mates in government to legalise it. At least it would be easier to control and health checks could be made on individuals.

I don't think there's another country in Europe which does not practice this occupation.

It would also stop the violence we hear almost every day. The pimps would probably lose out and it could also stop a lot of drug running.

M Evans, Ambler Thorn, Queensbury.

SIR - We would like to add our voice to that of H Clough of Holme Wood (Letters, April 24) in voting Mike Stocks and Royds the weakest links. It will be votes that count, Mike, and as the majority of tenants have the sense to recognise Stock Transfer for what it really is - privatisation - then sorry, but all the plotting and scheming going on at present in the Royds camp will be to no avail.

Get yourself on a new bandwagon, Mike, before the Royds' Big Yellow Bus rolls off into the sunset - or the scrapyard rather - with all the privatisation plans on board.

We have already been out and bought our flags to wave it off! Goodbye!

V Rose and E Allen (Defend Council Housing Campaign, Reevy Road West, Buttershaw.

SIR - Thank you for publishing my letters advising people about Bradford Council's retrospective planning application and their subsequent approval of a massive composting site in the middle of Northcliffe Park.

It is surprising how many people have been unaware that this spoiling of Northcliffe could be perpetrated by the elected servants of the ratepayers.

It is not surprising that all the people to whom I have spoken disapprove vehemently of this plan to alter forever the peace and quiet of Northcliffe. It is also going to make the area very dangerous because of the daily movement of traffic inside the park.

However, I should again like to urge people to disallow this flouting of the Council's own rules by letting them know that they shall not ride roughshod over the wishes of the general public.

M Young, Norwood Terrace, Shipley.

SIR - During the election campaign education, health taxes and crime will be well to the fore. Since the heyday of CND, the nuclear issue seems to have been half forgotten.

There's not much point, however, in getting an operation or an education or a tax break if we are all going to be incinerated!

Voters should make a point of asking the candidates whether they agree with the lunatic policy of Mr Bush to resurrect Star Wars. Why should this country agree to turn itself into a prime target just to satisfy the Washington warriors?

It seems to me that the beloved "special relationship" is a genuine give and take partnership. We give and they take!

Don Burslam, South Edge, Shann Park, Keighley.

SIR - Having read Miss Bulmer's letter of Saturday, May 5, regarding her experiences with Bulk Refuse, I can sympathise.

On February 26, I rang them to arrange for them to collect several bundles of tree branches. These were neatly bound up and of the correct length according to their request. Nothing happened.

March 29, April 4, April 9, April 19, further phone calls - on the last occasion their classic excuse was that too many staff were off sick (not half as sick as I was!)

The bundles are now being disposed of by me personally in a less-than-environmentally-friendly manner - but whose fault is that?

As Miss Bulmer says, is it any wonder that people dump their bulky items irresponsibly?

Mr Baff hopes that the public will bear with them. Well, I think ten weeks is long enough.

Our wheelie-bins have inscribed on the lid "No hot ashes, please". It could not possibly have been "No hot air, please".

Obviously none of that is needed, as the cleansing department have more than enough already.

Derek Mozley, Moorhead Terrace, Shipley.

SIR - You quote Michael Portillo (May 10) as saying the Bingley Relief Road "would have been built long ago had we had a Conservative government."

What utter tripe! When the Conservatives left office only four years ago the project was in limbo, tied up in the red tape of private finance and pushed into the distant future under a convoluted scheme involving a string of other road proposals. All Sir Marcus Fox's efforts had availed nothing.

It was Chris Leslie who got it back on the agenda, and given the time such huge projects take to plan and prepare, it is no surprise that only now are we seeing the men in yellow jackets.

Jim Flood, Redburn Drive, Shipley.