Letters to the Editor

SIR - I was so annoyed, listening to the news, about the hooligan kids of Blackpool.

It's like this all over the country and is in my opinion the result of the abolition of the cane in schools.

Having something to fear when young was the ultimate deterrent for committing even the smallest misdemeanours.

Not so now these hooligans know exactly what they are doing, and that they can't be touched for it.

I think either the government has to change the laws that protect these hooligans, or bring back the cane in schools.

It is up to all people who are really concerned about this unnecessary behaviour of children who really should know better and are out of parental control, to protest in their hundreds of thousands to the government instead of passively saying nothing and letting all this happen.

It's up to the government of England to do something now before it's too late.

Bill Hudson, Woodvale Close, Tyersal.

No lights here!

SIR - Phil Boase (T&A, April 21) and Mrs Sidebottom (T&A, April 13) are wrong in stating that traffic lights would help ease traffic problems on Netherlands Avenue.

Do these people go around with their eyes closed? This road is and has been an access-only for many years.

Mr Smith is right (T&A, April 22). They should not be using this road as a rat run in the first place.

My son has to cross this road every day on his way to school. He has witnessed more than a dozen accidents over the past three years.

Mr Boase has said that some motorists are in too much of a rush and have the attitude of "I'm all right Jack". Why doesn't he practise what he preaches and stop using Netherlands as a short cut?

Again it is non-residents trying to tell residents what we should have in order to accommodate them by having traffic lights installed. Well, we the residents don't want them or traffic lights on Netherlands.

I think it's about time the traffic police had a word with these people who blatantly admit to using this road as a rat run and ask them to stop.

Ms J Mcquillan, Larch Drive, Odsal.

Access needed

SIR - I felt I must respond to K Smith (T&A Letters, April 20), "It's not up to you." We who want to be able to use Netherlands Avenue do have rights in this issue. Please do not bury your head in the sand.

People in the surrounding area have views on this. Netherlands Avenue is a long, wide road. When this became access-only, it only put more traffic on the narrow lanes in the area.

Yes, I live on one of the narrow lanes and this is also used as a race track.

I would, as Mr Smith says, like to concentrate on improving my area. The way forward would be to give open access to Netherlands Avenue.

S Briggs, Parklands, Low Moor.

Cycling not viable

Sir - Is John Taylor for real or has he got a lot of tongue in cheek? Living in the wilds of Allerton I am surprised, to say the least, by his view regarding cycling to alleviate congestion on the roads (T&A, April 21).

Hypothetically, if a person living in Allerton worked in Stanningley, I calculate that, on a bike, they would spend probably three-quarters of an hour in the morning getting to work and over an hour returning at night! Would John Taylor enjoy that?

The hours between 4pm and 7pm would be soon called "crash/death time" because of the tired pedallers on the roads.

John, the only way you will get us motorists off the road is to give us a viable and reasonably cheap alternative, ie a regular, comfortable, clean, on-time, vandal-free bus service.

As for congestion charges - I am presuming from that suggestion that either John is very rich, not a motorist or a masochist. Don't you think that the motorist is penalised enough, John?

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke.

Fight fascism

SIR - The dark spectre of fascism has raised its ugly head over our city. In a time of global peril, hate, mistrust and ignorance threaten to split Bradford.

Cities like Bradford, at the cultural front line, are where the horrors and half-truths of fascism must be quelled before it takes a foothold among our people.

Protests and demonstrations only go so far. They too, in their own way, breed anger, as that path can only lead to violence.

Moderation, education and compassion are the weapons of choice in this war. For every BNP or far right rally, there must be five forums or open meetings preaching moderation.

For every smooth-talking, charming councillor or canvasser (we must never forget that these people are skilled orators), there must be 50 local businessmen, celebrities and community leaders willing to spread the opposite side to the fascist tirade.

Battle has yet to be joined but the time will soon be upon us when the people will have to stand and be counted at the poll.

It is our duty to do the right thing and combat narrow-mindedness, ignorance and hate for the good of us all.

Thomas McArthur, Beech Drive, Denholme.

Forever a shrine

Sir - It was with some contempt I read John A Hargreaves' letter regarding his wish to see Ken Morrison purchase Valley Parade football ground and build a supermarket on it (T&A April 26).

Don't people realise that while trying to score cheap points with ridiculous comments such as this, Valley Parade is more than just a site on which the football ground stands?

The site is also a shrine and memorial to 56 people who perished there in May 1985.

All the talk of City moving to Odsal and Mr Hargreaves' insensitive comments should never be taken seriously, or be an issue, because as long as there is a football club in this city (this may not be for much longer), the huge emotional ties of the Bradford City Fire and its tragic victims should tie the club to that site for eternity.

Dave Hobbins, Forge Lane, Armley, Leeds

Why all the mess?

SIR - Following recent roadworks on Leeds Road, lumps of tarmac have been left on the grass verge outside Laisterdyke Trinity Church and on the grass square next to St Peter's Nursing Home.

As a result the grass cutters cannot cut the grass properly on these verges.

Why can't companies which carry out roadworks tidy up after themselves when the job is done instead of leaving rubbish behind which damages the grass verge?

G Clements, Gambles Hill, Farsley.

Another wobbler

SIR - A relative serving with the UK forces in Basra has the T&A sent to him and he is disgusted with Mike Priestley's comments (North of Watford, April 17).

Thank God our boys are not swayed by the pacifists and wobblers. He does ask if Mr Priestley has heard of Libya. Were they got at? If Saddam was still around, would Libya have called it a day?

Good luck to all coalition people, particularly our own forces, and may the wobblers sleep safe.

F Dickinson, Larkfield Road, Rawdon.