Letters to the Editor

SIR - I felt a need to write to express my sympathy with P E Bird of Nab Wood and would kindly suggest that they visit an optician as soon as possible.

He made reference to the state of the NHS (T&A, April 5) so I would offer my experience.

At the age of 75, in the year 2000, I was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Within two months I was admitted to BRI. The treatment I received was excellent - from specialist to domestic they were wonderful.

As a result of this illness I have been resident in wards 22, nine and six and found no fault with any of them.

Recently I visited a friend in BRI on wards six and nine. They looked even better than five years before and every bed had its own television and phone attachment.

Since 2000 I have received ongoing care at St Luke's and BRI. I have had operations on both hands carried out at the Yorkshire Clinic (NHS patient) and more recently I had to ring NHS Direct on Easter Monday, and within two hours of my first call I was being attended to by a doctor at BRI.

Could I suggest that P E Bird gets out of the rut and really takes a look around?

E Kemp, Town Lane, Idle.

Why wards close

SIR - Bradford citizens are understandably angry and upset when Bradford Teaching Hospitals closes wards, making staff redundant.

Complaints are directed at the hospital seemingly without the public asking why it is happening.

Primary Care Trusts are buying less health care from our acute hospitals. When they buy less they stipulate, by default, what they will not buy.

The direct result is that when they stop buying a clinical service, the hospital has to stop providing it. Hence ward closures and staff redundancies.

This will get worse as PCTs are forced to spend more health care cash elsewhere. Four to five per cent this year and ten to 15 per cent less in acute hospitals in 2006.

It is true that our Government is spending more of our taxes, but less will go into acute NHS hospitals as PCTs spend elsewhere.

The Government argues that these changes are good for the NHS, so don't be surprised when you read of wards closing. Just remember it's not because Bradford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust doesn't want to treat you, it's that PCTs have decided that you will be treated in other places.

Bradford merely reflects what is happening across the country.

John Sidebottom, Kensington Avenue, Thorner.

Reject this plan

SIR - Re the letter from Mrs K Wilson about Oak Bank Farm, I and many others are in complete agreement with her comments.

Why do we need to build ten family houses on the farm site, 36 properties are in the process of being erected on the Old Oakdale School site.

All the vehicles will have to enter and exit via Oakdale Grove which will be hell for the existing residents and I think will affect the price of their property - downward!

This plan should be rejected by Shipley Planning Committee and all house building should stop until a major review of the road conditions in the area, plus thoughts on where all the children from the above developments of these family-sized properties will attend school has been carried out.

I'm sure our local councillors are aware of these problems and will do their best for the Wrose community, but most probably John Prescott will have the final say in any appeal that might arise in the future.

John Parry, Wrose Grove, Wrose.

A mean crime

SIR - I was absolutely appalled when I read your front page story (T&A, April 2). Millions of people know the devastation and distress associated with cancer followed by months of treatment.

Many would love to have some extra cash and to be able to enjoy a holiday, paid for legitimately and not by the fraudulent way Karen Hanson did it.

I certainly hope she gets the punishment that fits the crime committed.

Cancer is serious and if she is ever unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with it, I wonder how many people will sympathise with her then?

Not many I think, remembering the way they were conned into parting with their money.

Mrs D Stockdale, Clifton Place, Shipley.

So much on offer

SIR - Your correspondent Mr McDougall (T&A, April 7) will be pleased to know that through Metro, he and his wife are entitled to similar concessions to pensioners and disabled people living in the Greater Manchester area, but with lower fares.

Holders of Metro's senior and disabled people's permits can travel on trains and buses throughout West Yorkshire after 9.30am for just 35p per journey, compared with 50p on buses and 60p on trains in Greater Manchester. As in Greater Manchester free travel is available to blind people.

People of any age who have difficulty using conventional public transport can take advantage of the free dial-a-ride, door-to-door AccessBus service, details of which are available by telephoning on 01274 304 297 between 7.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Senior Permits and leaflets containing details about them are available from Post Offices, bus stations and travel centres and the First Leeds Travel Shop at the Corn Exchange, Leeds. More information can also be found at Metro's web site at www.wymetro.com.

As new cardholders Mr and Mrs McDougall will be entitled to one month's free travel throughout West Yorkshire, which I hope they enjoy.

Coun Stanley King, Chairman, Metro.

My school views

SIR - May I reply to Phil Boase who criticised my letter on school meals and transport (T&A, March 31). The fact that he got free meals and uniform does not mean I am wrong in saying the state should have no duty other than to provide free education to children of school age.

It may well be the family allowance was relatively less than it is today. I do not know if in the 1940s my mother received any child benefit.

I've a feeling she only got 7s 6d (37p) widow's pension but people never expected the state to provide as much as it does today.

As to exposing children to paedophiles while walking to school, how many lurking paedophiles and bullies are there actually inside the schools and how many kids suffer abuse at the hands of their own and extended families?

And in any event, children approaching their early teens can have road sense instilled in them if they are allowed to walk.

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

An odd idea

SIR - In pre-war days Bradford had two large, fine railway stations from which you could catch regular trains daily to most parts of Britain. Look at the 1920s Bradshaw Railway Guides. The

Great Northern, LNER and LMS all visited our fair city. I admit in those days Bradford was important.

The idea of a cross-rail system to connect the two stations now seems rather odd. I thought the idea was to get people to visit Bradford so the notion to get everybody straight through seems bizarre.

Don't we want people to stop and spend money in Bradford? Our shops are suffering enough because of out-of-town shopping centres without this sort of help.

For those unable to walk the few hundred yards between stations, taxis are available at both points.

W E Oates, Station Road, Queensbury.

We won't benefit

SIR - I am writing in response to an article (T&A, April 1) about the proposed new development at Elmfield.

As one of the residents on Plevna Terrace I would like to point out that upgrading the unadopted road is certainly not for our benefit.

It will increase the amount of traffic and the speed of the cars down there, increasing the danger for the local children who play out.

Also the Locks development mentioned was built on the site of an old, disused mill and had little impact on the beauty and tranquillity of the area.

The proposed development will be built on a green-field site and is adjacent to a conservation area so the effect on the local wildlife and environment will be great.

Mrs H Fethney, Plevna Terrace, Bingley.

End this racket

SIR - If the Lake District National Park Authority can impose a speed limit of ten mph on Windermere in order to restore the lake's tranquillity, why can't Bradford Council do something to stop mindless motorists driving about our streets day and night blasting out their so-called music and annoying everybody?

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.