SIR, - This is the first time, at the age of 59, that I have ever felt the need to write to any newspaper. The fuel crisis we have all had to endure was brought about by a few selfish people who had the power to hold the elected Government and the rest of us to ransom.

This is not democracy, it is mob rule. Of course, the action had the support of many of us. Who does not want petrol taxes to fall?

But who wants spending on health, education and public transport to be reduced? Would public support have been maintained if the crisis had gone on longer and had led to serious shortages, lost jobs or even deaths?

The farmers have been spoiling for a fight with the Government for months and they saw the blockades as a means of drawing attention to their plight. While many of the farmers' grievances may be valid, they cannot complain that high petrol taxes affect their business.

Firstly, their farm vehicles are run on 'red' diesel, which carries a very much lower tax than ordinary diesel. Secondly, all farm purchases carry VAT including fuel, but because farmers' sales are zero rated for VAT purposes, they are able to reclaim all VAT they have paid.

Petrol prices have risen recently by about 30 pence per litre. This rise was due to OPEC (Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries) reducing oil production in order to bring about an artificial shortage leading to worldwide price increases. Why therefore, blame the Government?

Surely we would be supporting our democratically elected Ministers to lobby OPEC to reduce oil prices. Whilst our petrol taxes are higher than some EU countries, the overall tax burden in the UK is less than most of our European competitors.

Perhaps, given time for people to reflect on their initial support for the blockades, their reaction in 60 days' time to the threat of further action will be different.

MARTYN SHAW

2 Strathmore Road,

Ilkley.

Cross purposes

SIR, - It seems Mr. Dundas (Letters, September 14) has misconstrued the point of my letter (Letters, September 7). He goes to great lengths to set down the reasons for change in Ilkley.

I made no mention of Ilkley's increased population or the subsequent changes this had brought about, of which I am fully aware, but to the neglect of pathways and beauty spots which do not receive the necessary care from Bradford although they gain from us financially.

I also referred to the passing of plans which are not only unsuitable for their selected surroundings but an eyesore to those who appreciate our beautiful area.

I regret I do not understand Mr Dundas's explanation regarding Semon Home which states "IS part of a charitable trust" as it no longer exists, or make sense of the rest of that sentence, but must accept his obvious superior knowledge regarding ownership of our buildings.

However it is good to know road damage can be charged to those causing it, but difficult to prove without photographs of that event.

EILEEN LUND

Queens Road,

Ilkley.

All young once

SIR, - Congratulations to John Anderson and Pipe Dream for reaching thus far in creating a skate park for Ilkley's youth. Unfortunately some residents appear to have forgotten they were young once?

May I remind Middleton residents of near three years ago when putting forward a similar idea, there was uproar! Residents gave noise as one excuse, yet wanted somewhere to take skaters away from their roads etc.

Before Councillor Robinson reminds me that the site was in the Riverside War Memorial Gardens, I knew that from the outset. I also knew few residents were aware of the fact and by putting the suggestion in that quarter, kept the skate park and War Memorial Gardens in everyone's minds.

There are places in Ilkley away from habitation where a skate park could be placed and still be safe for young people to follow their sport.

Three of the town's Hydros provided skating rinks, Wells House flooded and froze theirs for winter. The Moors Centre stands on land once used by a travelling rink.

Far from a 'flash in the pan' look to other areas or the wider world, it is an evolving sport with no sign of diminishing. Remember, an Otley senior citizen was wise enough to see her town's young folk had nowhere to skate safely and started the ball rolling. Otley has a skate park to be proud of.

A former Ilkely councillor once commented people of all ages skate in safety in a Canadian city. The same could happen here.

FRAZER IRWIN

Queens Road,

Ilkley.

Taxes unfair

SIR, - During the fuel crisis Blair's hypocrisy has risen to new heights. His justification for the highest oil tax in Europe, if not the world, are green policies and to raise funds for social programmes.

On the one hand, the excessive tax on fuel is described as a 'green' policy to discourage car use. On the other hand, New Labour gives millions to subsidise car manufacturers and asks OPEC to increase oil output to bring down its price. Is this 'green'?

And if we abandon cars, what alternative transport is available? Privatised public transport is poor, expensive, uncomfortable and unreliable.

New Labour brings out legislation to reduce the price of cars to European levels but makes no attempt to provide a cheaper and efficient public transport system. So what's green about that?

We can have cars at European prices, but not fuel. What nonsense is this?

And with regard to Blair's second excuse; ie, the funding of social programmes, he ignores that direct taxation is a simple, reliable and socially fair way of re-distributing wealth. New Labour's policy of transferring taxation from direct to indirect hits the poorest the most.

Under this system, a millionaire pays the same fuel tax as a pensioner. Since all distribution costs are tied to it, all goods, including basic essentials like bread, are effected by this tax.

This is a tax the poor cannot avoid. Is this fair? If after the Millennium Dome we need further convincing, this is a Government which is morally and intellectually bankrupt.

Malcolm Naylor

21 Grange View

Otley.

Breakfast plea

SIR, - I am writing to ask your readers to help raise £70,000 for breast cancer research. This October, which is breast cancer awareness month, I want your readers to invite their friends and family to share breakfast, brunch or lunch - and then charge them for being there.

The charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer is asking people up and down the country to organise fundraising breakfasts to help raise funds for research into breast cancer, which still claims the lives of 1,000 women a month in this country.

For those 'not so early birds', why not organise a brunch or even a fundraising lunch?

To help decide on a menu some of TV's leading chefs including Gary Rhodes, Anthony Worrall-Thompson, Kevin Woodford and Susan Brooks have donated some simple, mouth-watering recipes for your readers to try.

Your readers can really get involved in this fantastic campaign and make a major difference. All they need to do is call Breakthrough Breast Cancer on 020 7557 6627 and ask for the breakfast booklet.

Ainsley Harriott

Breakthrough Breast Cancer,

103 Kingsway,

London.

Wildlife walk

SIR, - Please would you be able to find room to print some details of the World Wide Fund for Nature's sponsored walk, taking place on October 8 in Shipley.

Walks will take place all over the country on this date to raise money for rhinos. Last year, walkers in the Bradford area raised £1, 500 and we hope to raise even more this time.

BARBARA HAYES

Markham Avenue,

Rawdon,

Leeds.

New polio issues

SIR, - A forthcoming Channel 4 documentary on the history of polio (9pm today) will remind many of your readers of the horrors of UK polio epidemics in the last century.

Thankfully, polio is now rare in the developed world but readers may be surprised to learn that there are thousands of survivors alive today, many of whom, like myself, are experiencing new difficulties, known as the late effects of polio, or post-polio syndrome.

The British Polio Fellowship, of which I am vice-patron, is a registered charity and has been supporting such people for more than 60 years. We provide a range of information and support and I would recommend anyone who was affected by polio to contact us on FREEPHONE 0800 0180586.

Sir Arthur C Clarke

Vice-Patron,

British Polio Fellowship.

Rail points

SIR, - With regard to your report on human waste left on the track at Ilkley railway station (September 14): "Do not use the toilet while the train stands in the station."

You should wait until the train sets off to leave your mess 50 yards down the line - or wait until the petrol crisis is over.

In the meantime, it doesn't take a flush of inspiration to find a good use for one of the many permanently empty shops in the station concourse.

So, come on parish council, instead of showing us your 'corridors of power', let's see some 'seats of convenience'.

STEPHEN OXLEY

6 Whitton Croft Road,

Ilkley.