Letters to the Editor

Sir - In response to Councillor Thomson's letter (T&A April 16) regarding parking on pavements, the pavements in Wibsey are used most of the time as car parks, making their intended purpose for the public to walk on useless.

Young mothers with pushchairs, disabled people in wheelchairs and, even worse, blind people with guide dogs are all forced on to the highway. No wonder accidents to pedestrians are increasing.

I agree with Coun Thomson that fixed-penalty tickets should be administered to the offenders, but by whom?

I believe it's only police officers and traffic wardens who are allowed to issue these, and here in Wibsey we see very few police officers and even fewer traffic wardens.

Of course, there is a very simple solution to this problem here in Wibsey - CCTV, something Wibsey has been promised for a while now, but obviously as Wibsey ward's political persuasions do not agree with the Council's, we have to do without.

Not only does CCTV help to curb anti-social behaviour it also curbs other crimes as well.

Come on, Bradford Council, let's have some action.

Don H Brasenell, Bradlaugh Terrace, Wibsey

Not so efficient

SIR - A few months ago I read in the T&A of a new, more efficient approach, involving the Council and the police, to the removal of abandoned vehicles.

About three weeks ago I reported a vehicle abandoned on council land at the rear of my home. After about a week I reported it again.

After Easter I tried to report it again to the police, but the line was busy. On ringing the Council I was informed they had no legal right to remove the vehicle.

Miraculously, I believe, the vehicle remained intact and unharmed for nearly three weeks. Now it is a burned-out shell.

If the Fire Service charged for putting out burning vehicles, who should foot the bill - police, Council, insurance company or owner?

In this case the more efficient approach appears not to have worked.

A E Harris, Ormonde Drive, Allerton.

Danger of path

SIR - I agree with Councillor Thomson's letter (T&A, April 13), in particular his views on the Council's duty of care. But I wish he would take a short walk up to the locality of Miles Rough nearby where a public path runs from Brantwood to Woodland Close.

Part of this path is slowly sinking into the bog and anyone passing along it in darkness risks a fall of up to 15 feet into the mire where the edging stones have given way, leaving a wide gap in the path. Even in daylight it is a hazard to passers-by, cyclists and school children.

I suggest that the Council exercise their "duty of care" before any ratepayers break their necks! We have recently suggested to another councillor that the path also be lit. It is not so long since my wife was mugged nearby.

Eric McMellon, Woodland Grove, Bradford 9.

Third-class post

SIR - What on earth is going on with our postal services? We used to have a regular postman who'd probably gained a knowledge of his regular route and the odd foibles of certain addresses like my own - barking dog, unusual name, letter box on back gate as well as front door, etc.

But recently I have had mail appearing through both letter boxes and spotted different postmen each day retracing their steps and looking generally confused!

Last week my doubts about the new levels of service were confirmed when my husband was asked the whereabouts of King's Road! The young postie in question was actually standing a few yards away from it along Brow Wood Crescent!

Now when a postman does not know King's Road (one of the longest highways from Bolton to Wrose) it is slightly worrying.

The poor souls in obscure places like Hodgson Fold might be in for a long wait for their letters!

Sheila Ognissanti, King's Road, Bradford 2.

Circus memories

SIR - I was interested in your article about the two Codys (T&A, April 17) and decided to tell you about the one who ran the circus.

My husband's grandfather used to commute to America regularly on the big liners in the early 1900s and on one of his return trips made the acquaintance of 'Buffalo Bill' Cody who was en route for the British Isles with his circus troupe.

When he was asked whether he'd be having a show near Worcester he replied that he had been unable to locate a suitable site.

As granddad owned quite a bit of land he volunteered to let it out to the company and the offer was accepted.

They duly arrived at the grounds of granddad's house and invited him, his wife and seven children to the dress rehearsal and gave them a private viewing.

This was a story my mother-in-law always loved to tell.

Catherine R Thomas, Grovelands, Bradford.

Hear our voice

SIR - So Vanda Greenwood, prospective Labour candidate for Windhill and Wrose, feels that the need for more new homes on green land comes from Bradford's buoyant, thriving economy (T&A, April 14).

As there is no buoyant, thriving economy in Bradford, as most people already know, perhaps she means Leeds?

Some builders have already stated in their advertisements that Bradford is the new Leeds.

There are many other sensible and concerned people like Joyce Green (T&A Letters, April 15) who realise that you just cannot go on concreting the countryside, the implications being obvious.

Many also are wondering, where does it stop? It is also notable that very few affordable homes are built on green land.

I remember well Labour's downright uncaring and intolerant attitude to the people living in the rural areas when they had control of Bradford.

Joyce Green is right on target. Keep them out and give Bradford a chance to prosper again and the people in the rural wards a say in their future.

R P Beale, Skipton Road, Cononley, Keighley.

School holidays

Sir - Michael Breen (T&A Letters, April 16) has obviously not done his homework about this being the only country in the world to have excessive school holidays.

In America, summer holidays for schools run from May to August. In Rhodes the children are on holiday from April until September, as it is deemed too hot for them to go to school. In Germany, the holidays are from the end of June to September.

So Mr Breen, it seems that we are not exceptional in our school holidays. However, I will agree that schools are vandalised and broken into.

But I don't think it's because they're closed, I think it shows again how today's youth have little or no respect for either property or people.

As for working parents, they still have a responsibility to care for their children. I think teachers have enough on their plate without being regarded as childminders as well.

It's up to these parents to make adequate arrangements for their offspring.

Karol Tiler, Lime Court, Crossflatts, Bingley.

Freedom of choice

Sir - The response by D C Wilding (T&A, April 14) to my letter regarding the fact that thousands of Leeds fans live in the Bradford area beggars belief.

He clearly takes exception to this, but I wasn't aware that one's postcode dictates which team one supports. Whatever happened to freedom of choice?

I myself get annoyed when people 'attach' themselves to certain teams from outside the Yorkshire area without ever watching them in the flesh, but that's their choice.

I have supported Leeds for over 35 years, including not missing a home game for nine seasons in the old second division when, at times, Bradford were above us in the table.

I would like to inform Mr Wilding that I'm as proud a Yorkshireman as he obviously is and would support them over Lancashire every time. I would also like to inform him that I have many friends who support Bradford City and I take no particular pleasure in their current plight.

Peter Fox, Leamington Drive, Idle, Bradford.