Some drivers need speed cameras!

SIR - I write with reference to the letter from Richard Bentley regarding speed cameras on St Enoch's Road (T&A, April 6).

I am a resident who lives at the top of St Enoch's Road with a young child, and welcome speed cameras being put up.

Cars speed down this stretch of road and on occasions the crossing at the top of St Enoch's has had drivers hurtling into it when pedestrians are on it.

Twice when I have been crossing with my child I have nearly been knocked down by speeding unobservant drivers - it's not a very nice encounter.

Several accidents, one fatal, have happened on this stretch of road which goes to show the need for cameras.

A 30 mph limit may make idiots think about their driving skills and how to drive properly. Half of them would fail their practical driving test if they had to take it again.

A Hemnigway, St Enoch's Road, Wibsey.

Put your brakes on

SIR - The speed cameras on St Enoch's Road have been installed due to the many accidents, one recently fatal.

As a resident I have been a victim of three cars being written off. Neighbours past and present have suffered the same amount.

I can recall a total of 11 car accidents that have resulted in the vehicles concerned ending up on the public footpath and even in a garden.

This is just the tip of the iceberg - it's a miracle there haven't been more fatalities.

Anyone using St Enoch's Road will, unfortunately, have to use their brakes or stick to a more direct route into Bradford from Shelf - Halifax Road.

Christine Munro, St Enoch's Road, Wibsey.

Controls vital

SIR - After reading the letter from Richard Bentley (T&A, April 6) regarding speed cameras I wonder if he travels on the same road as me.

I travel down St Enoch's Road daily and can assure him and you there are only two speed cameras (one on either side of the road) not six as he suggests.

I too have an automatic car and would agree that I am constantly using my brakes all the way down, but should I not do so I would have picked up a speed to around 60 mph.

It is a fast road and cars do travel rather fast, especially downhill. Surely speed cameras are a good thing if they stop people speeding and alleviate accidents.

M Wainwright, Harbour Road, Wibsey.

Lack of foresight

SIR - I read about the Shipley Market traders concerns regarding the new Airedale Master Plan's proposals for Shipley town centre and how their trade might be affected by them (T&A, April 7).

The new plans for Shipley mean Shipley will gain two new public squares, rather than the current maze of market stalls and the car parking which blights half of the market square. Market Traders will gain brand new facilities from which to ply their trade.

The new transport interchange will give rail travellers a safer and quicker route into the town centre and the bus station will/should provide adequate facilities for bus travellers.

I think the suggestions that the Market Hall closing and the buses not going into the market square would discourage shoppers from Shipley town centre are quite laughable.

The market traders have got many years in which to discuss how they will fit into the Shipley's brand new dawn. By opposing these plans they are showing a lack of foresight.

Tom Barrett, Ashfield Road, Longsight, Manchester.

Backward step

SIR - I see Bradford hospitals chairman Peter Garland is being paid £60,000 for just six months' work (T&A, April 7). This is being done when staff are still in the dark as to where they stand.

Staff at St Luke's are short-handed, meaning the ones who are there are having to work in more than one area. This means they won't be able to maintain the correct standards.

If they keep paying Mr Garland the above amount things will only get worse before they get better.

Harry Flynn, Powell Avenue, Little Horton, Bradford.

No more gravy?

SIR - From the letter "A British Victory" by Richard Corbett (T&A, April 4) I gather the writer is somewhat apprehensive about the gravy train in Europe coming to a halt for him.

Being on the dole won't be easy for someone who will have got used to getting paid for nothing and twice as much if he does nothing on overtime!

Rule Britannia and down with Brussels!

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke.

Jail is deserved

SIR - Trevor Williams-Berry (T&A, April 9) is outraged that a lady was jailed "who took up arms against the youths who had been tormenting her", and brands the law and its officers as April Fools because of this.

With respect, I fear it is Mr Williams-Berry who has been April Fooled.

The facts were that the lady discharged her firearm against two youngsters who were totally innocent of any misdemeanour.

They were merely unfortunate to be outside her property when her mind snapped. In the circumstances, I think a short custodial sentence was appropriate.

Unless, of course, Mr Williams-Berry wishes us to tread the American path of shoot first, ask questions later. If so, in the immortal words of Sam Goldwyn, "include me out!"

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

So discriminating

SIR - The story about jobs in the new Broadway being allocated to a set area of Bradford (T&A, April 6) took my breath away. I had to read it twice!

I was always under the impression that all jobs advertised are open for anyone to apply for. What happened to the 'best person gets the job' idea?

We hear about discrimination all the time but this is so blatant that it beggars belief. There are many unemployed people in the city who would love to have one of these jobs so why is Barkerend so special?

Let's have a level playing field otherwise racial problems are going to arise again. Treat everyone as equal and you have no problems. What is happening here is the reverse and shows exactly what's wrong with Bradford.

David Wilde, Kingsley Avenue, Bradford.

Royal favouritism?

SIR - Now that Prince Harry has been accepted for officer training at Sandhurst with the meagre qualifications of one A-level in art (at grade B) should we worry about the intellectual ability of our army officers?

However, you can bet your bottom dollar that a local lad from, say, Holme Wood or Buttershaw council estates would have been laughed at for even trying to get into Sandhurst with such feeble qualifications!

M Ward, Barnby Avenue, Lower Grange, Bradford.

Filling a need

SIR - Maybe Mr Fearnley (T&A, April 8) can afford to buy from named retail shops, but there are a lot of people who need charity shops.

They sell good secondhand goods at a price people who are not in his league can afford.

Charity may begin at home, but without these kinds of outlets many people would be dressed like ragamuffins. Is this what he wants to see?

Jamie Lee, Powell Avenue, Little Horton, Bradford.