Housing scheme is no benefit

Earlier she admits astonishingly: 'Of course we are concerned about the increase in traffic - but cars are a way of life which will not go away.'

Cars certainly will not go away from Moor Lane if the crazy project goes ahead. Moor Lane will be deadlocked with traffic as more wives learn to drive and more children get behind the wheel at the age of 17. This is all part of a domestic revolution, which cannot be stopped.

My wife and I moved to The Robins, a small development adjoining Burley railway station, 18 years ago. Most householders then had only one car, if any.

Today, many have two or three cars. What will the pattern when the 147 homes at Scalebor put their families on wheels?

John Daley, in an adjoining letter on June 29 'does not see any pressure put on the station car park as there will be pedestrian access'.

He implies that when and if the householder leaves his car at home and walks to the train, this car will sit sulking in its garage at home all day. What a hope!

An increasing number of his family will eventually be licensed to drive and when the tired businessman walks wearily back home from the station, he will be lucky to find his car has returned home.

There is a daily overflow now of cars at Burley station, where the park is too small to meet demand. Last-minute drivers cannot find a space to park. So, hurriedly they abandon their vehicles on The Robins or on surrounding streets to the annoyance of us all.

Harry Watson

16 The Robins,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Petrol protest

SIR, - Five years ago British petrol was significantly cheaper than anywhere else in Western Europe. It is now by far the most expensive. Some garages are already charging £4 a gallon, of which more than £3 is tax.

As always, the elderly, the disabled and people on low incomes are the ones to suffer the most, but all drivers are feeling the strain and the indications are that things will get worse - how did the situation ever arise?

We need only look at the recent posturing and anarchy of Reclaim the Streets to see what kind of zealots are drawing up so-called green policies. By playing on our fears with distorted facts and misleading statistics they have duped many well-meaning citizens into their cause.

We also have a Government that wants to raise taxes but is afraid of even more unpopularity. The solution? Stealth taxes. The global warming spin doctors have given them a golden opportunity to raise taxes in the name of the environment.

Despite official figures showing that pollution from petrol engines has been rapidly falling since 1990 and will continue to do so even if traffic levels increase, the extremists continue to vilify the motorist as a selfish polluter who must be penalised for his anti-social behaviour.

The Treasury has little to fear from losing fuel tax revenue to the buses and trains. However much it many be improved, public transport can never equal the convenience and practicality of one's own except in the simplest of journeys and providing one does not have to carry a load.

The good news is that there are 31 million of us and we are all voters. Remember this next time you go to the polls. You can make a difference. Tell the politicians you've had enough and that you'll kick them where it hurts - in the ballots!

There is also one motoring organisation which is not afraid to campaign openly for a fair deal for motorists and an end to rip-off fuel prices. By joining the Association of British Drivers you can help us help you.

Please contact me at PO Box 2228, Kenly, Surrey CR8 5ZT, by calling 070000 781544 or via our website (www.abd.org.uk).

Tony Vickers

Campaign Co-ordinator,

Association of British Drivers.

Buses folly

SIR, - It is difficult to see how axing the direct bus service between Ilkley and Bradford, and also cutting bus services to Otley, can help to reverse a decline in passengers.

If a transport service is to attract users it has to be fast, frequent, reliable, and run throughout the day.

The Ilkley-Bradford service runs once an hour, the journey takes an hour and ten minutes, and the last direct bus to Ilkley leaves Bradford at 9.50pm.

Hardly an inducement to visit the theatre or cinema by bus. How much longer will it take when passengers have to change buses?

Would Mr Hussain, First Direct's manager, please spell out how these cuts will affect journey times and frequencies of services to Bradford from Ilkley and Otley?

Joan Knott

21a Eaton Road,

Ilkley.

Walkers' thanks

SIR, - I am writing to thank you for your recent publication of two articles relating to our 'Three Peaks' sponsored walk for Breast Cancer Care. The response has far exceeded all our expectations and is now expected to realise a sum in excess of £1,500.

The figure reflects the tremendous support we have had from the store staff, sponsors, patrons and of course many loyal and generous customers.

The team would like to thank all who have contributed in whatever way.

Liz White

Trainee Pharmacy Assistant.

Boots The Chemist,

Brook Street,

Ilkley.

Garden growing

SIR, - As we are now halfway through Millennium Year, it's a good time to review progress on Darwin Gardens Millennium Green.

We have just enjoyed a highly successful official opening, thanks to the efforts of the many organisers and performers, to 'Millenniu Greens Champion' Jilly Cooper, and to the superb turnout of people who came to take part in the merriment.

To reach this stage has required a great deal of teamwork and co-operation, and the trustees of the Darwin Gardens Trust should like to take this opportunity to give credit to all those who have taken part in this, including:

l Ilkley Parish Council and Bradford Council, which have smoothed the administrative path.

l Bradford's Recreation and Countryside Services for their contributions 'on the ground'.

l Major business donors to the project, including Crest Homes, Booths Supermarkets and Chippindale Plant Hire.

l The Sir George Martin Trust, Ilkley Community Fund, Churches Together in Ilkley, Forest of Bradford, and Ilkley Carnival 2000, all of which have also granted financial support.

l The many businesses, community groups and private individuals who have provided donations, especially via the Millennium Maze and Family Tree schemes.

l The local Press, radio and community website for their publicity of our progress.

l And of course, 'Darwin's Garden Army' of work party volunteers who have 'moved heaven and earth' - or rather 'moved a lot of earth to create a little bit of heaven'!

Finally, I should like to personally acknowledge the immense dedication and drive of my fellow trustees, Brian Hill, John Haigh, Miggy Bailey and David Timmons, whose efforts on behalf of our town are an admirable example of service to the community.

Opening day may be over but the Millennium Year goes on, and there are a great number of fascinating developments to come. Moorfield School has planted the nucleus of a wildflower meadow as part of their new environment study area; Ilkley Grammar School has finished designing two pebble mosaics which will soon be ready to lay; new seats and information boards are on the way; autumn will see the start of an extensive bulb and tree planting scheme, and next year should see new paths and a monument to 'Millennial Vision'.

A Millennium Green is something for the whole community to enjoy using and we welcome groups to make use of the site for events.

As July 1 saw the anniversary of the announcement of Darwin's evolutionary theory, we marked the occasion by 'enlightening' the maze with garden candles, creating a novel spectacle which was enjoyed by several groups of people!

Darwin Gardens Millennium Green is well on the way to becoming a much used and well loved feature of our town, and a splendid way to commemorate the millennium.

Dr PETER HARNETT

Chairman, Darwin Gardens Trust,

The Cottage,

Crossbeck Close,

Ilkley.

Tribute to two

SIR, - We would like to thank two people not mentioned by Mr Irwin in his letter 'Darwin Thanks' (Gazette, June 29).

Dr Peter Harnett and Brian Hill have worked tirelessly on the Darwin Gardens project for the last ten months.

They were responsible for most of the work which turned the idea of a Millennium Garden into a reality.

Without their attention and enthusiasm, commitment, hard work and expertise, the area which now attracts many visitors would still be an overgrown wilderness.

Rob and Helen Briggs

1 Maufe Way,

Ilkley.

Information plea

SIR, - I am currently researching the life of the artist Featherstone Robson (1880-1936). He usually signed his work "F. Robson" and prints of his work were sold by most of the main stores in Britain during the 1920s.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have prints or original paintings by this artist, especially the titles of any of his works as I am trying to collate a record of them.

I can be contacted by letter at the address below. Alternatively people can telephone me on 01661 832784.

Leonard Franchetti

6 Park Lane,

Prudhoe,

Northumberland,

NE42 5LN.