The drivers who deserve hassleSIR - Unfortunately I am old enough to remember the stir caused by the film Easy Rider and the influence the movie had on motorcycles of the era. High handlebars, ex-tended forks, garish backrests - real attention-grabbers.However, the riders of these machines had one thing in common - they were guaran-teed to draw constant hassle from the police and thus the owners always ensured every-thing was in order, both me-chanically and documentation wise.Can the same be said for our fellow citizens with their customised cars, which in the same way as the chopped hogs of the early 70s should be draw-ing the same police con-cerns?Where is the money com-ing from to insure such high-powered cars driven by such young drivers - assuming they have insurance?I do wonder how picky the police are in in-vestigating if the insurance de-tail actually compares to the engine characteristicIf the drivers do wish to draw atten-tion to themselves I hope our police will not tire of giving them what they want... has-sle.John Murphy, Rock Ter-race, Manningham.Make 'em paySir - So Richard Bickerdike states unpaid fines should not be deducted from benefits, as they are so low. If we follow his line of thinking then anybody in the UK on benefits can run up fines of any amount, as they will never have to pay them.I can just see them now queuing up to steal, burgle, etc sure in the knowledge that no matter the cost or misery to others they themselves will not be held to account.Well Mr Bick-erdike, it's simple -don't com-mit crimes and your benefits won't be touched and nobody should be above the law regard-less of circumstances rich or poor.Stop trying to make mar-tyrs of people because of the size of the wallets they carry and concentrate on having a law-abiding society that is held responsible for its own actions instead of finding excuses for the law-breakers among us.You do the crime; you do the time -or in these cases pay the fines.Tony Redgrave, Clare-mont Grove, Wrose.Increased risksSir - Although there have been significant protests about the restructuring of the Fire Service, I am surprised it has been decided to withdraw one of Shipley Fire Station's appli-ances.It beggars belief that in times where we are encouraged to live safer lives and be vigi-lant against the risks we expose ourselves to this action has been taken.In the vicinity there is a manufacturing site, which is low-tier COMAH regis-tered.COMAH stands for Con-trol of Major Accident Hazards. It is legislation that protects and reduces the risk to resi-dents in the vicinity from the potentially-serious effects of an incident involving nasty sub-stances.No doubt the role of the Fire Service is key to being able to assist in this control and the reduction of risk.The manufacturer in this case is in no way responsible for this de-cision and must have its own views regarding this matter.I do however ask what represen-tation our local MP Chris Les-lie has made to ensure the ele-ment of risk has been consid-ered by local government and what steps he has taken to minimise the impact of such moves regarding the Fire Ser-vice in his constituency. Tim Oakman, Elliott Street, Sal-taire.The last postSIR - Re-member when we sat down to breakfast and opened our let-ters and birthday cards at the start to the day? Now mine ar-rive at lunchtime.If you're out for the day it's teatime before you open them, birthday nearly over.So post a day early - an-other tradition of the best post service gone.Susan Bannon, Glynn Terrace, Brad-ford.Useless bridgeSIR - Re "Bridge over troubled motors", describing how a bridge would look over Manchester Road (T&A, March 25).Surely, any-one looking at the photograph will agree that the bridge knocked down not so long ago is identical to the one they are going to build.The only differ-ence I can see is the new one has what looks like two giant drums stuck under each end.What a temptation this will be to young children, to jump from the bridge on to the drums, and try to scale the towering plank in the mid-dle.Also when the sun reflects off these giant drums motorists will hardly be able to see where they are going.If someone wants to build something for the disabled then try building a supermarket, as there is only one shop in this area.If people want to do a decent shop, they have to go to the other side of town, ie Morrisons at Bankfoot. Disabled people are left out in this area, and the bridge is completely useless to us and children of all ages.Could the designers let a five-year-old have a go as I am sure they would do better.K Gurney, St Blaise Court, Reyhill Grove, Manchester Road, Brad-ford.Report concernsSIR - I am deeply concerned about the possible repercussions the Barker Report on housing could have on Queensbury ward. If the government im-plements the findings of this report it will mean more Green Belt and green fields could be designated for housing. I hope this report has come too late to change the Unitary Develop-ment Plan, which will last for the next 15 or so years. Queensbury was the hardest hit in the Bradford district when the previous Labour ad-ministration agreed the last UDP. Large swathes of green belt and green fields were des-ignated for housing, and many of these have now been com-pleted. The landscape of Queensbury has changed for-ever. This size of development should have taken place over 50 years and not over five years!My one main priority when elected in 1999 was to fight against any further Green Belt being designated for hous-ing. I have championed this cause throughout the Council, resulting in the new UDP, which protects and strengthens the Green Belt. Queensbury ward needs time for stability. After all, how can you plan for improvements if there is con-tinual change? I pray this UDP will shortly become law before any of the Barker Report can be implemented. Councillor An-drew Smith, Chapel Street, Queensbury.Positive newsSir - I am a parent with a daughter at Immanuel School and was glad to hear some positive news about the pupils there in your letters page (March 27). Since the school was opened it just seems to have been targeted with bad reports.I was recently at a parents evening and all the staff I spoke to are very com-mitted to providing our chil-dren with a good education and want to see the pupils do well. We also recently had a Seven-ties night to raise money for school funds and it was a great success. Everyone who at-tended had a great time.I thought it was about time we heard some positive news about the school.Janette Wat-mough, Harehill Road, Thack-leyGive us our saySIR - Why are our MPs allowing Tony Blair to give away our way of life to Brussels?Why have they not demanded a referendum when 20 countries in Europe are allowing them?Most people in the UK, 64 per cent according to the latest polls, are against joining and are requesting a referendum which Tony Blair, the new Oliver Cromwell, is re-fusing to give because he in-tends to be a president of Europe.One good thing will come out of joining Europe if we do. Blair will have shot himself in the foot because come the next election Labour will be voted out.A Clarke, Cal-verley Bridge, Rodley.Winning the battleSIR - I must point out an error by your reporter Sally Clifford in her article "Passion of the Priest" (T&A, March 26).She writes "Churches all over the world are battling to keep their congregations, but..."The fact is that the Christian church worldwide is continually growing except, perhaps, in the Western part.Her comments would be true of denominations in this country, but there are healthy growing non-denoms about; there are some in this city!Walter Metcalfe, Central Avenue, Shipley.