It is most unfortunate that the proposed merger between the University of Bradford and Bradford College has collapsed.

The plan to combine the two institutions seemed a sensible way ahead for both of them. Bradford University has suffered from a reduction in the number of students applying for courses. A merger would have eased the financial problems caused by that shortfall. It would also have enabled students on the 16-plus courses provided by Bradford College to move up more easily to degree courses.

It seemed, at the time, to be another positive example of Bradford continuing its long tradition of leading the way in educational affairs. What a shame, then, for both institutions and for Bradford further education in general that it has fallen by the wayside after so much effort and money has gone into the groundwork.

The main stumbling block appears to have been fears that Bradford College was set to be taken over rather than merged. That anxiety might well have been sharpened by the three main recommendations of a new name for the combined institution suggested in April by consultants. All focused on the word "University".

Twenty months down the line, the talks are off but the problems which prompted them remain.

The heads of the two institutions have pledged to continue to collaborate and seek areas of joint working. Let us hope that together they are able to come up with a batch of measures to help both of them out of their difficulties and enable them to forge ahead independently.