The proposed closure of the Yorkshire Bank branch in Cross Hills, which is among the first 22 named of 100 British branches scheduled for the axe within the next 18 months, is another blow to a semi-rural community. Who knows how many other rural and suburban branches within the Bradford district will be on the full list of 40 in Yorkshire pinpointed by owners the National Australian Bank, which hopes to save £117 million by shedding 1,700 jobs nationwide.

The bank's chief executive has said that the closures are "about providing our customers with the appropriate network for their needs". To close a local branch like this is virtually to deny access to any network for those who aren't conversant with or confident about internet or telephone banking, or who for one reason or another would have difficulty travelling to another branch in Keighley, Skipton or Bradford.

Older people and those without their own transport have already been badly hit by the closure of branches of some other banks and particularly by the recent decision to shut many local post offices. Along with the loss of a growing number of pubs and the disappearance of local shops as the supermarkets tighten their grip, all this seems to point to a change in the role of villages, townships and suburban centres into sterile dormitories rather than thriving communities in which people can live, shop and play.

It is something the Government needs to address if it is to prevent a growing number of those who live in them feeling increasingly isolated.