Council has a duty of care to City

Sir - I was shocked and dismayed to learn that the elected representatives of Bradford are ready to stand by and watch the demise of a second professional football team in the city.

Although I now live in Canada, I still follow City closely. I have watched in amazement the "roller coaster" ride the club has gone through since I emigrated in 1995. Who would have thought the "success" achieved by attaining Premiership status could lead to the club's ultimate undoing?

I for one feel it is grossly unfair to punish the club for doing what supporters and all Bradfordians of good will, have pressed it to do for so long, i.e. climb to the highest division in English football.

The question now becomes what value do the people of Bradford, through the council, put on a century of tradition and passion?

I would contend that the council owes a duty of care to what is, after all, an essential institution in the fabric of British culture.

By turning its back on Bradford City the council is consigning part of the soul of a once-proud city to the dustbin of history.

Tony Walsh, Aitken Street, Comox, Canada

Not our problem...

Sir - As a Bradford council tax payer I would vociferously object if any or part of the council taxes were used to prop up or support the dying organisation that is Bradford City.

Let us not forget that this is a business and as such should be maintained by its directors, shareholders and supporters, and if this is not possible then the only recourse is closure as many businesses in Bradford have had to in the past.

Why in heaven's name should the people of Bradford be expected to support the wage bills of players who are on thousands a week when they cannot aspire to anything like that themselves?

I think the supporters who are asking for the council to put up money for Bradford City would not be so keen if other sporting organisations did the same to ensure their survival.

Dennis Scanlon, West View, Wrose, Shipley

Club is a business

Sir - There have been many letters from Bradford City supporters complaining because Bradford Council is not prepared to use taxpayers' money to prop up the failing club.

The club is a business and, as such, should stand on its own feet or fail as any other business would.

Bradford lags well behind in the number of children who are able to swim a meagre 25 metres. Apart from the obvious advantage of being able to swim in case one finds oneself unexpectedly in water, swimming is a healthy participant sport and exercise which can be enjoyed throughout life.

But despite this the Council did not provide the money necessary to repair Thornton swimming pool, something which would have given children and adults much healthy pleasure.

The population of Bradford Metro is about 500,000, yet the average spectator attendance at City matches is only 11,433, some of whom will be supporters from visiting clubs - hardly a significant proportional support figure.

Peter A Rushforth, Sutton Drive, Cullingworth

Lights would help

SIR - Mrs Sidebottom of Great Horton is quite correct (Letters, April 13). Trying to quit Abb Scott Lane for Huddersfield Road in Low Moor is extremely difficult and dangerous. Traffic lights operated on an "as and when" basis during the day and set programme at rush hours would be fine.

I have gone up and down Netherlands Avenue for years and only once or twice have I seen anyone in a hurry and one was a fire engine and the other a police car with light flashing!

Going back to Abb Scott Lane/New Works Road - if motorists tried to be a little bit patient and let others enter from those roads then the problem would not be so bad but everyone is in such a rush that the spirit pervading is "pull up the

ladder, I'm all right Jack".

Phil Boase, Elizabeth Street, Wyke

Recipe for disaster

SIR - New Labour firmly believe that Britain is and should remain a multicultural society. Multiculturalism is a political ideology that has completely altered the demographic identity of this nation. There is no evidence to say the ideology is correct. During their term in office New Labour, with the blessing of groups like the TUC, have deliberately and systematically erased all concepts of British identity, whether these be historic, political, legal or otherwise. It has demonstrated ignorance and contempt for traditions that millions still hold dear.

Further to their cause, they have created a political climate where anyone who clings to the values and identity of the indigenous majority is by definition a "racist".

The immigration system is now in chaos, and the Government adds to the problem by transforming bogus asylum seekers to legal immigrants at the stroke of a pen.

Multiculturalism is a recipe for social disintegration and disaster. The quicker we abandon the concept, the better.

A J Clarke, Halifax Road, Bradford 6.

A superb show

Sir - Having just been to the Alhambra to see Blood Brothers, I felt I should write and say how my daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the show.

The cast were all playing different roles to their usual ones because Linda Nolan was ill, and I got quite confused trying to understand the revised casting list so goodness knows how they managed to play their new parts so brilliantly.

I was still crying as I left and a gentleman said "you really enjoyed that, didn't you" and I had to agree.

They got a standing ovation which was very well deserved, so if anyone hasn't seen it yet try and get seats but take plenty of tissues.

Judy Brannan, Greenland Avenue, Queensbury, Bradford

Councillor's help

SIR - Recently, as on numerous previous occasions, we contacted Councillor Andrew Smith (Conservative Queensbury) with a local problem.

After Councillors Smith's investigation he reported back to the locals. He explained in simple terms to us, what the future may be, as regards to the problem.

The expert knowledge that Councillor Smith has for Queensbury is astounding. I say, along with many others, surely Councillor Smith should not be pushed aside like this.

We are witnessing a terrible loss to Queensbury.

K Robinson, Albert Row, Queensbury.

Car control vital

SIR - Malcolm McLean is right to criticise excessive car usage (T&A, April 12). Variations of working hours and differing school start and finish times would ease traffic congestion.

So would more widespread use of bicycles and mopeds to free-up road space.

Now that the congestion charge has been pioneered in central London, Bradford should consider introducing it too on the busiest routes.

Control - not eradication - of cars is the way forward.

John Taylor, Park Hill Drive, Allerton.