Letters to the Editor

This was not really seen as an inconvenience as the car was only required to pick up our daughter from Steeton, (after school). Living on a major bus route, in theory should have been hassle free, or so we thought.

My wife got on the bus with our one-year-old son in his pushchair, and as soon as she got on the bus an elderly man said:"I've paid for my ticket and I'm not moving".

As you can guess the bus was empty but he was sat in the buggy zone where the space and seats are designed to accommodate people with prams and buggies.

Again he said he was not moving, and then went to say quite loudly that unlike my son (an infant) he had paid for his ticket.

At this point -- and all credit to him -- the bus driver said: "You can sit anywhere on the bus. This lady can only put her buggy in this space, and unless you move we won't be moving anywhere". With lots of grumbles and moans he moved.

In the week my wife used the bus this situation happened on more than three occasions with different people of senior years.

I do recall as a child the first seats of the buses were designed for the elderly but that was way before the modern buses we have today that have been designed to accommodate all passengers.

I think very often we are quick to criticise the young of the town for their anti-social behaviour, but now from our own personal experience we have found there are a few octogenarians in Keighley with the same lack of manners and social skills -- who knows they might start wearing hoodies next!

Stephen Bielby

Skipton Road

Utley

SIR - Now that the smoke has finally cleared in Haworth I would like to add my comments on the battle of the Santa's over the Christmas period.

We are regular visitors to Haworth and like to support the local events that go on whenever we can. Christmas was no exception, it was lovely to see Mr and Mrs Claus walking up and down Main street greeting the visitors and talking to the tiny children.

My wife and I will never forget the wonder on the children's faces at seeing them and being given a handful of sweets, their little heads craning for a last glimpse as they walked away, Santa saying something about he cannot bring his Reindeers because of the parking, smashing!

On the other hand, seeing the grotto at the top end of main street and a child coming out with a so called £5 toy, which consisted of several plastic cars in a tube costing £2.99, (buy one get one free) at the local supermarket has a lot to answer for. How expensive it would be for a small family. After a visit to the grotto there would be nothing left to spend in the other shops.

Haworth needs the tourist trade, foot and mouth knocked the visitors right back, so to come out with a statement like "if they haven't any money they should stay away" is unbelievable. These events are held to attract people throughout the year, attitudes like that will only stop people coming. Is that what they want?

JOHN PITTOCK

Halsteads Way

Steeton

SIR - So, Councillor Mallinson hopes making the exit from West Lane into Oakworth Road left-turn only will avoid morning rush-hour snarl-ups where turning vehicles block traffic on busy Oakworth Road.

Has he ever witnessed the junction of West Lane and Oakworth Road in action?

Traffic on Oakworth Road is blocked by the backing-up from the roundabout, not by vehicles pulling out of West Lane. Indeed, vehicles turning right up Oakworth Road from West Lane are, in their own small way, actually helping the situation by getting out of the way.

The chairman of Keighley Transport Forum (for, unbelievably, it is he) must be the only person in our town to not see that forcing us all to turn left to the roundabout will simply add to the congestion.

A brightly painted yellow box won't resolve the problem, but it will bring a small improvement, in contrast to what we're going to get.

Paul Hannon

Broadlands

Keighley

SIR - May I through your newspaper thank everyone who has sent me letters and cards congratulating me on being awarded the MBE.

An honour which I will be delighted in going to Buckingham Palace to collect later in the year. Not forgetting the people who were kind enough to nominate me for the MBE. Many thanks.

CHRISTINE TOWNEND

MBE

Lawkholme Lane

Keighley

SIR - I was astonished to read that Jens Hislop's granddaughter had to go to all the way to Bradford to have a pip removed from her ear because Airedale hospital didn't have the tackle or expertise to do the job.

Well, all I can say is if it ever happens to anyone in Keighley then just nip into the local vet. They can do it, not a problem. They do it all the time.

Roy Spink

Goose Cote Lane

Oakworth

SIR - Jack Straw is profoundly concerned about the Iranian action in regard to nuclear development. The Iranians deny, of course, that they are developing nuclear weapons.

I would say that I am not only profoundly concerned, but also profoundly distressed at the British government's total state of psychological denial in their continued possession and deployment of Trident thermo-nuclear weapons, and its stated policy of the need to retain a so-called credible nuclear deterrence with all the implications of the research and development for a replacement of Trident when it becomes obsolete.

It is ironic, to say the least, that the Iranians will be reported to the United Nations Security Council -- all of its permanent members are nuclear weapons states. It is time that the high moral tone adopted when referring to non-nuclear weapons states is transferred to the nuclear weapons states.

It could be argued that since the adoption of the Non-Nuclear Proliferation Treaty in 1970 it is the nuclear weapons states that have not kept their part of the bargain while the vast majority of non-nuclear states have not developed nuclear weapons. The world has changed since the ending of the Cold War and now is the time to begin the serious business of working for nuclear disarmament.

SYLVIA BOYES

Wimborne Drive

Keighley

SIR - In answer to Irene Ellison-Wood's letter of last week.

Concerning the flooding at Braithwaite, there wouldn't be any flooding at Braithwaite if the drains had been properly cleaned and maintained over the last 20 years.

Council tax has gone up and up under her administration. Services down and down. No post office, no public toilets, blocked drains. Where has all the money gone? One can only guess.

We should have had warning of what was to come when the sewer at Oakworth Road burst due to neglect and a build up of debris at the bottom of West Lane. Wrong priorities.

Council tax is set to go up again. Are we all to sell our houses to pay it.

No account is taken of where the money comes from to pay it.

Where is the industry to provide the wages to pay the council tax. Houses are that dear that my kids will never afford to buy one.

Even the local special school is to be sold off. What is to happen to these children? Money first, people last, not like old Labour. It's time for a rethink and new start.

JIM HOLMES

Braithwaite Road

Keighley

SIR - It is beyond belief that for some strange reason people still feel that they have the right to complain for being penalised for what is totally the result of their own actions.

In the KN Philip Abramson, a visitor to Haworth, writes regarding his breach of parking regulations and subsequent clamping. Why do people travel long distances to Haworth, and then frequently underestimate the length of their stay?

If I travelled nearly 80 miles to visit a place of historic beauty, wanted to park close to the hub of things, and planned on having a bite to eat, my first priority would be to ensure I had plenty of time to do so.

For the sake of a couple of extra pounds I would be able to absorb the wonderful surroundings, safe in the know-ledge that my journey home would not be tainted by a yellow clamp.

Mr Abramson does not argue that both cars were over their time limit -- but his comments regarding not returning to Haworth seem to indicate that he takes the clamping as an insult.

Surely he would have had more reasons to be upset if instead of a clamp he received an ASBO banning him from returning to the car park due to his oversight!

When will visitors understand that if you wish to benefit from parking close to amenities in this day and age you must ensure that you are whiter than white with regards parking restrictions?

Mark Pullen

Thorn Street

Haworth

SIR - Re Mr Abramson's letter in last week's Keighley News.

So despite having seen the signs warning of the clamping operation he still thought it was okay to show up half an hour after the time he had paid for expired?

I have read several tales of woe from people who claim they have been unfairly treated and have to admit that I used to agree the clampers were on occasion a bit heavy handed. That said, I am now of the opinion that it is the car owner's responsibility to get back on time or do the sensible thing and pay a bit more even if you don't use all the time you have paid for, it has to be cheaper than stumping up another fifty quid or so on top.

So my advice to Mr Abramson? Pay up and stop whining.

Steve Hewitt,

Taichung, Taiwan.

SIR - If I have read his confused letter correctly, Mr Joy claims to be both a member of the BNP and "a key figure within the Labour party".

Well. That explains everything.

George Speller

Hill Top Road

Keighley

SIR - I read with incredulity the article entitled "Villagers may have to pay extra for travel plan" in last week's Keighley News.

Who are the Richard Armitage Transport Consultancy and who are Bronte Country Partnership who are proposing that Haworth residents should have to pay an extra levy on their already high council tax to fund "an effective travel plan"? I for one am totally opposed to their proposals.

Why on earth should private residents be surcharged to pay for schemes to alleviate traffic problems caused by visitors.

The only people who benefit financially from visitors to the village are those who own retail business, which accounts for probably less than 1 per cent of the village population. If anyone should have to pay for this then it should be the businesses that gain from tourism.

In any event the cause of any increase in traffic congestion in Haworth is in the main caused by the planners who have allowed too many new houses to be built and by also allowing existing car parks to be built upon. I hope that other Haworth residents will join me in protesting against any proposal to surcharge the already too high council tax.

GARY SWALLOW

Sand Street, Haworth

SIR -As Patron of Team Macmillan, I would encourage your readers to take part in the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 21, 2006 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief. Call 020 7840 7875 for details.

Steve Backley OBE