Letters to the Editor

SIR, - I find it hard to believe that our local councillors and the Leeds City planners can approve a scheme to put in a new link road through the green belt of Horsforth and Rawdon and connect it into the road network at the busiest junction in Leeds.

Surely we should be trying to get vehicles off the roads, not making more roads congested. In additon to that they are proposing a huge freight terminal in the middle of our countryside when there is already a huge industrial complex adjacent to the airport which could be extended.

If you look at the airport master plan there has been a proposed rail link drawn on the plan but with little explanation, a proposal I would totally agree with, as most of the traffic from the airport goes either to Leeds or Bradford.

It would also provide a much needed and improved transport link to both cities for the thousands of new residents moving into the vast housing schemes in the area.

The council has just being saying it had a good few million left over now that the 'supertram' is not going ahead. Perhaps they could do something good for this end of Leeds and invest it in this rail link.

The existing bus service isn't used as much as it could be as it too gets held up in the congestion. The only problem is, you can tell the rail link is not a serious proposal as it goes nowhere near the proposed freight terminal.

And why wasn't it submitted and pushed forward for approval at the same time as the other proposals. It would appear it has just been thrown in to appease the objectors.

As with many other schemes it would appear this will be another shortsighted development with little thought given to the future and other factors in the locality and the environment.

PHILIP GOMERSALL

Rawdon.

Signs a danger

SIR, - Many of your readers may not be aware of the plans being submitted for the the changes to the boundary signs at the Leeds City boundary on four entry points into Otley (Plan no 29/382/05/SN).

The main part of the signs with the 'Welcome to' message is perhaps an improvement on the present signs, though I think few readers will have seen what is planned.

It is now proposed that underneath there will be a separate board for an advertisement to appear, to give publicity to local firms. However I feel that these signs will constitute a danger to drivers of vehicles passing the signs.

At Otley all four entry points have aspects which make it necessary for drivers to be very careful as they pass these sites.

As an example: the sign positioned on Newall Carr Road is on a difficult bend, immediately as the road turns to the right, then descends and bends left.

On Otley Road at the end of the Burley by-pass the traffic is moving very fast towards a series of awkward bends where 100 per cent concentration is needed.

On Bradford Road and Farnley Lane the signs are again on bends, where visibility is not easy and with fairly narrow and busy roads.

I feel that the last thing drivers need is a rather small notice carrying a local company's name. The plans indicate that a telephone number and website may be displayed - it will be impossible to take this in. Any driver who tries to read it will be endangering him or herself and other traffic.

The advertising revenue will hardly justify the potential dangers. If readers want planning committee members to think again they can object to Leeds City Council Development Department at The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds LS2 8HD by quoting application 29/382/05.

Peter Young

36 Cambridge Drive,

Otley.

Small shop crisis

SIR, - We were pleased to read in 'the Wharfedale' at the beginning of January the support of Mr Greg Mulholland for the small shops which are fast disappearing in high streets all over the place.

We will have been in business in Yeadon for 40 years in February.

We had a petition going when we hear that a supermarket was coming to town. All ths shops but one signed it; all to no avail. Most of the shops closed down.

You could at one time buy almost anything from the top to the bottom of Yeadon. Now it is travel agents, estate agents, building society offices etc. Not many shops are left.

We are not left with any choice now but the supermarkets. Ours was one shop they did not affect, but we are sorry for those put out of business. Next is on-line shopping.

NORMA and MALCOLM HORNER

1 Shaw Lane Gardens,

Guiseley.

View unchanged

SIR, - With regard to the parish council split, the following is basically a copy of a letter I sent to Menston Community Association on January 17, 2003.

"It may be a good idea for Menston to form its own parish council (I myself prefer to stay with Ilkley Parish Council) but paridh councils need active and committed members and I feel that over the years lifestyles have changed with the result that generally, for one reason or another, people are now much less inclined to devote their free time to voluntary organisations.

"I seem to recall that at the last local elections Menston did not submit a name to serve on Ilkley Council.

"I can point to several Menston organisations who find difficulty in recruiting helpers - particularly committee members - the MCA being one.

"Ideally, dedicated people like councillors Audrey Brand and Dale Smith are required.

"It may be a negative point of view but I shall be pleasantly surprised if there are sufficient numbers of similar Menston residents who will be willing to establish and run a successful parish council."

My opinions have not changed.

Incidentally, for your interest, I have in my possession a copy of a notice for Menston'sfirst parish council election in 1894. There were 21 nominations for ten seats and the electoral roll numbered 660 at this time!

JACK H KELL.

1 Low Hall Close,

Menston.

Nowhere to go

SIR, - I thought you might like to be updated on my Tourism for Otley promotion which I planned to come into operation in the Spring.

You may remember, I proposed a return to earlier years when visitors came from far and wide to Otley each summer weekend. They arrived by car, by bus and prior to our railway line being closed, by train too.

The result of this was a much livelier town where businesses flourished. The main attraction was Wharfemeadows Park with its boating, swimming baths, children's paddling pool, swings and roundabouts, bowls, tennis, fishing and occasional concerts from the bandstand.

The boats have gone now, and the swimming baths, the paddling pool, the tennis courts and the bandstand - and so now, although the park itself has been greatly improved in recent times - there is very little for people to do. They aren't going to travel miles just to sit and feed the birds.

So, my idea was to bring back boating on the river and the modern equivalent of a bandstand so we could have afternoon and evening entertainments and to add other attractions to the park and the town in an effort to put Otley not only back on the tourist map - but to make it a top tourist attraction in a town which once again would flourish.

I wanted to see street organs, a miniature railway, hot air balloons, kites, pony rides for children, a Punch 'n' Judy Show - and marionette and puppet shows. However, it would seem that, although the town's businesses seem quite happy to let me get on with my efforts on their behalf, they aren't going to help, so I have been left with nowhere to go.

Derek Arnold

PO Box 20

Otley.

Proud record

SIR, - Those of us who were privileged to serve on the Wharfedale Rural District Council (report January 19) were proud of our record representing the villages along the Wharfe Valley.

We aged a long and bitter battle to retain our identity when local government was reorganised in 1974, but the best we could achieve was a north/south divide with the river providing the demarcation line.

However, we were fortunate in having a far-sighted chairman, Mr J Mordy, who encouraged us to form parish councils, which all the villages did.

This has enabled residents to still have local input into council services, especially on matters dealing with planning, hgihways and housing concerns.

It has also ensured that we are not in the unenviable position in which Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston find themselves today.

ADRIANE THOMSON

Cherry Trees,

Askwith.

MP explains his library 'absence'

SIR, - I can quite easily put Tory Councillor Clive Fox's mind at rest regarding my not attending the recent opening of Otley library.

It is quite simple - I was not invited. So this is an issue that he might like to take up with his boss, Coun Andrew Carter, who it seems forgot to invite the local MP. I would agree with Coun Fox that this was an omission, presumably an oversight rather than anything more deliberate.

It seems as though Coun Fox was invited, even though he does not represent Otley any longer, so there is certainly something amiss if councillors from other areas are being invited but not the local MP.

I also will put his mind at rest as to where I was when the library was opened (I am flattered to know he has such an interest in my day to day activity!). I was, as I often am on a Friday, in my local office and at one of my surgeries listening to my constituents - in my constituency.

It is funny the way some people seem to like to imagine that their MP is involved in national political manoeuvrings, pacing up and down in the 'corridors of power' and 'queuing up outside television studios' as Coun Fox put it. Sorry to disappoint, Clive, but for constituency focused MPs, the reality of working week is nothing like you clearly imagine it is. For me, my job it is about working hard in the constituency and in Westminster and taking up local issues and raising them, locally and in Parliament.

You do, however, need to pay more attention, Clive. I was interviewed that Friday, in my constituency office by local radio, TV and press, as I said in a previous letter on this subject. So sorry to hear that you missed me, now I know you are so keen to see and hear me in the media!

Because Coun Fox missed me, and is so keen to hear my views, I will repeat what I said in a letter responding to another constituent, an Otley town councillor, only a couple of weeks ago. That I am always happy to discuss any and all matters with the people I represent so if you want my views on the Lib Dem leadership or anything else, just call my office on 0113 226 6519!

However, I am glad that Coun Fox has been so interested in the Liberal Democrats leadership contest. At least the Lib Dems know that, whoever wins the election, will not be doing an amazing U-turn on all the main policies the party stood on. Perhaps Coun Fox is a little uncomfortable that his own leader, David Cameron, is doing exactly that despite the fact the manifesto that he now deems as so unacceptable was largely penned by...David Cameron.

That is political expediency on a grand scale. But I have better things to do than to criticise you for not being in the local press saying how terrible it is that David Cameron is abandoning the principles and policies of the Conservative party and I hope, instead, you will get on with your day to day work as a councillor.

I do wonder if Coun Fox's comments reveal a little frustration, presumably as a result of the Tory demise in Leeds North West over the last three years which has left them with only three city councillors and a third place in the general election, their office on Breary Lane in Bramhope now closed down.

It would be churlish of me, however, not to thank you, though, for you kind description of me as 'our ubiquitous member of Parliament'. I have indeed tried to work hard and connect with people and make their MP and politics more approachable and relevant and I can assure you that I am committed to showing the energy and hard work that got me elected in the first place.

Greg Mulholland

Member of Parliament, Leeds North West.