Letters to the Editor

SIR - Why does Britain allow mad Muslim clerics, and I just don't mean the infamous Abu Hanza, to rant racist hatred against this country?

These people should be deported with haste if they are illegal immigrants, or arrested if they are not.

They condone the September 11 atrocity, regard terrorist attacks as legitimate and publicly state that non-Muslims are unbelievers in their eyes and deserving of assassination.

We surely can't allow that. We are storing up great danger for ourselves if we don't act.

There are many rebellious young men ripe for plucking by such clerics. These young men might be disaffected but they are not poverty-stricken. They have expensive material things. But they aspire to the tribal cause.

The Muslim high-ranking role models can be an influence here. But I won't hold my breath in a climate that allows them to stand back and say nothing about forced marriages and extreme sexism against women of their faith.

The Islamic faith has many virtues but these are negated by the clerics of evil, and those who don't condemn the miscreants of our faith.

M Zafar, Fairbank Road, Bradford.

Right to choose

SIR - Re K Smith's letter (T&A, April 20). I do not know Netherlands Avenue but back Lyn Sidebottom's right to choose which public route she takes from A to B.

There are too many access roads and I trust that those who enjoy the privilege pay for their upkeep.

Motorists pay a road tax and should be allowed to drive on any road maintained out of central or local taxes.

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

Closure disgrace

SIR - How many residents of Low Moor, Wyke or Odsal are aware of the Council's intention to close Netherlands Avenue for up to 18 months while they consider residents' reactions?

Were the traders of Wibsey advised of the potential loss of revenue caused by this ridiculous proposal to close a main thoroughfare?

Was anyone, other than the residents of Netherlands Avenue, consulted about his proposal?

We were led to believe road-calming measures were being considered, so why is it now being closed? Because Netherlands has now become a victim of the new "in word" - rat run!

It isn't - it is a road, conveniently labelled a race track even though figures confirm there have been no speeding prosecutions there and described as "hazardous" ignoring the fact there have been only three minor accidents there in the last five years.

The Road Traffic Acts describe a road as a place for moving vehicles which have priority and I must question the legality of moves to give precedence over that.

Efforts are being made to exclude vehicles from the very place legally designated for their use.

Should this proposal come to fruition, will we see this private road removed from the public purse to the residents' pockets?

J Higson, Cleckheaton Road, Low Moor.

Cross-rail a must

Sir - In observing road traffic flows in the Bradford district, it is noticeable that traffic proceeding north from Shipley and beyond will pass along Canal and Shipley Airedale Roads, before travelling south along Wakefield and Manchester Roads.

The same movement from north to south is noticeable, as traffic flows from the Aire Valley to Cottingley and via Heaton to the south.

A similar movement is noticed along Harrogate Road, via Killinghall Road to Dudley Hill.

Despite this obvious movement from north to south and vice versa, Bradford Council and Bradford Regeneration are of the opinion that a through railway line, connecting the north of Bradford with the south and allowing continuous journeys, is not needed.

It is clear Bradford Cross-rail would make a significant contribution in reducing road congestion, as commuters would see the benefit of a viable alternative when travelling from north to south.

It should be noted that since electrification, patronage on the Wharfe and Airedale lines has increased by ten per cent per annum, and there is little doubt that Cross-rail would enjoy a similar success.

It is recommended that Bradford Council should now commission a feasibility study to confirm the viability of Cross-rail.

Alec Suchi, Secretary, Bradford Rail Users Group, Allerton Road, Allerton

Ban fireworks

SIR - When are the majority of people going to have their wish granted and have fireworks banned completely?

After all, November 5 is the date but not now. It's all year round, every day, at all times.

The elderly daren't go to bed in case one comes through the letter box. Others with animals and guide dogs have them thrown at them.

So let's have something done - a complete ban!

D Burnett, Great Horton Road, Great Horton.

Puppets wanted!

SIR - I read with interest the reasons given by Mike Stocks for his resignation (T&A, April 24). I am even more interested in Councillor Martin Smith's remarks on the matter.

In the early days of stock transfer Mike Stocks was keen to condemn me for speaking my mind on the matter. Now the point I was trying to prove is obvious and he is ashamed to be Housing Trust director.

Coun Smith, in trying to condemn Mr Stocks, only adds fuel to the fire.

Matters that have come to pass about council housing before and since transfer leave a lot be desired.

I resigned from the Shipley Constituency Area Panel Advisory Group because of untoward matters in the housing and housing benefits departments.

Nothing has been done to put this right. They do not want boards, they want puppets.

A recent advert in Housing News says a lot: 'Tenants needed to join boards, no experience necessary".

This is true. You will be told what to do by those who failed in the first instance.

Stephen Walsh, Church Street, Bingley.

Glutamate facts

SIR - In the T&A Body & Soul supplement (April 20), complementary therapist Liz Hill made a link between some foods and headaches. The reference to monosodium glutamate may raise unnecessary concerns among readers.

Monosodium glutamate is the salt of glutamate, an amino acid found naturally in protein-containing foods such as meat, vegetables, and milk.

The glutamate naturally present in food and the glutamate from monosodium glutamate are treated in exactly the same way by the body.

Glutamate is actually produced by the human body and plays an essential role in metabolism. Almost two kilograms of naturally-occurring glutamate is found in muscles, the brain, kidneys, the liver and other organs and tissues.

In addition, glutamate is found in mothers' milk at levels about ten times that found in cows' milk.

While there may be 'triggers' for headaches, including diet and stress, there is no scientific evidence that glutamate and monosodium glutamate are such triggers.

A review of the literature on food-triggered headaches (Food triggered migraine: a critical review. Annals of Behavioural Medicine, 12:51-651, 1990) concludes there is no evidence to support an association between monosodium glutamate and headaches.

If you want to find out more about glutamate, contact us or visit the website on www.glutamate.org

Susan Scott, International Glutamate Information Service, PO Box 38550, London, SW1E 5WP.

Spot of comfort

SIR - On the subject of nervous illness, it would be a nice idea if there was a club room in the centre of Bradford to cater for people who have suffered a nervous breakdown.

They could meet and have a cup of tea and a chat, especially after they have been in hospital.

I believe one in five suffers sometime in their lives. A place like this would be especially good in troubled times.

Derek H M Dunbury, c/o Oakhurst Nursing Home, Bradford 8.