Letters to the Editor

SIR, - I write with regard to last few week's articles on the lack of local amenities in Ben Rhydding. However I would like to put across the feelings of West Ilkley.

Quite simply the situation is even worse, and now the area resembles little more than a dormitory.

Given the large number of people who live in the Hebers Ghyll area it is quite appalling that no such facilities exist. There is no telephone box, no shop, no newsagent, an irregular bus service, and until recently there was even no letter box.

In order to access such essentials one must either drive one and a half miles or embark upon an hour long return walk- assuming one is a fit adult- to Ilkley town centre where the nearest facilities exist.

It is unbelievable, given the number of young families, and elderly people nearby that no facilities exist. Indeed, I am sure were such an entrepreneur to open a shop, or a telecommunications company install a phone box then they would find it highly profitable.

Having spoken to many elderly people living in the retirement homes on Grove Road they find the situation unbearable as they would like the independence to stroll to the shop or make a call but do not feel strong enough for the walk, and cannot rely on the bus service.

My point is this. Instead of arguing about which area is the most neglected we should unite to bring better services to Ilkley. We should demand better bus services, more phone boxes, broadband and DAB access, more input from large multi-national firms who put their profits above our well-being, and more help from Bradford Council or they shall find a Ilkley turns into a ghost town.

I for one shall be demanding more for our neighbourhood, and I urge everyone to follow my lead in doing so as together we can use our voice to good effect.

William Gonzague

42 Beverley Rise,

Ilkley.

Problem moved

SIR, - Councillor Anne Hawksworth (Bradford Council's Environment chief) neatly sums up the art of the traffic engineer when commenting on the traffic crisis in Ben Rhydding (Ilkley Gazette, February 13) when she points out that restrictive traffic calming measures force motorists to look for other routes.

In effect, one community's problem is dumped upon another and in the case of traffic it is usually those living on or near a main road who have to suffer. Is this really the best that can be done?

Traffic restriction by physical barriers is a crude method. The same effect could be achieved by withdrawing highway maintenance and let the potholes slow traffic, with much saving in cost.

For those living in cities the problems are much worse, for as well as contending with massive queues as commuters leave and return to more sylvan surroundings, the engineer continues to calm the leafy suburbs by dumping more traffic on to main roads.

We who live there are deafened by the noise, gassed by the fumes and face injury crossing over the road.

A 20mph speed limit on non-main roads throughout the Metropolitan district ought to be imposed together with capacity limits on main roads, allied to a much improved public transport system.

Some new housing could be designated as carless and have a beneficial funding system applied.

It's always somebody else's car that is the problem. Traffic cannot be allowed to further spoil our quality of life and damage the environment.

At present the traffic engineer and planner have as little influence on controlling the waves of traffic as King Canute had on the tide.

R J LACEY

156 Wrose Road,

Bradford.

Taking care

SIR, - It was with great interest that I read your comments regarding the traffic problems in Ilkley, particularly surrounding the area of Brook Street and Station Road. It is a situation which has compelled me to write in to your publication to voice my opinion.

Whilst I understand that the present system can be improved on, I feel that it is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians to use basic commonsense when using the zebra crossing.

It is unbelievable to see the number of people quite nonchalantly walking out without seemingly a care for the traffic! This is done by people of all ages; it is not simply something which is done by children.

Likewise, it is amazing to see the number of people who just walk out across the road on the Grove. The traffic has enough problems getting down that road already without the added incumbence of people popping out between the cars.

Do we really have to wait for a serious injury or perhaps even a fatality before people take notice of the need to take care when crossing?

Kevin Farrell

Hebers Ghyll,

Ilkley.

Crossing facts

SIR, - Peter Miller's letter on zebra crossings was wrong. The 2002 printing of the Highway Code states in instructions to drivers:

"171 Zebra Crossings. As you approach a zebra crossing . . . look out for people waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross. "You MUST give way when someone has moved on to a crossing".

In the code 'MUST' is printed in red capitals which means that it is a criminal offence not to obey the instruction.

The reference to zig-zag lines is in 167 of the code. They simply indicate a 'no parking' zone.

Mr Miller's two emergency stops were almost certainly due to ignorance of the code. I am very concerned that Mr Miller's letter was printed without you pointing out that it was incorrect.

L C CARPENTER

63, Grove Road,

Ilkley.

Skating concern

SIR, - We keep hearing about the efforts to create a skateboarding area in Ilkley, and the concerns raised about it. I imagine that the skateboarders consider their activity harmless and think that objections about noise, safety, and bad behaviour are all unreasonable.

I suggest however, that these concerns are all too real, and are based upon observations.

In the past week in Ilkley I have seen children playing on skateboards in areas where notices request that they do not do so. I have seen one child ride his skateboard down the wrong side of a car-park access road into the path of a turning car.

I have seen a wooden pallet and other materials that have been 'borrowed' to create obstacles in the central car park. I have seen a lump of concrete left in the middle of another access road.

There is a purpose-designed skateboard park near my workplace in Leeds. However my work is regularly disturbed by the noise of children skateboarding in an area where it is not permitted. When asked to stop, they are often abusive.

The stonework in that area has been chipped, and is defaced by their practice of rubbing the boards on the coping stones. One car's sump was seriously damaged by obstacles left in roadways by skateboarders.

Should I be confident that the provision of a designated area would stop problems elsewhere in Ilkley? If there is to be goodwill towards skateboarding in Ilkley, might I suggest that Ilkley's current skateboarders consider how they appear to others.

Dave Whiteley

Ilkley.

US hypocrisy

SIR, - The true hypocrisy of the American Government was laid bare for all to see in their statement that should the UN fail to sanction military action against Iraq via a second resolution, they will go it alone.

However, on many previous occasions they have chosen to block UN resolutions via the use of their veto as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This even occurred on occasions where nearly every other country in the world, including the other four permanent members of the Security Council, have voted in favour of a particular resolution.

Yet, those countries did not suddenly defy international law and act alone. I would further add that whilst America claims to be the champion of democracy they, along with the other Permanent members, subscribe to an undemocratic system of international law in that the veto only being available to five countries within the whole world.

I believe that it if only once the UN and the major powers of the world start to adopt policies which are based on truth and justice that true peace will prevail.

Yousef Walker

8 St. Christopher's Drive,

Addingham.AC

Call for cameras

SIR, - Your recent correspondent is quite right. The lengthy morning queues which stretch out of town towards the Addingham bypass could be cured by making Victoria Avenue 'no right turn' off the main road.

One of the great pleasures of motoring around Ilkley is the generally free flow of traffic. The advocates of traffic lights will spoil that advantage, and instead of using traffic lights to limit the speed of traffic, a couple of suitably positioned cameras on Skipton Road, and indeed, on Leeds Road should have the desired effect.

The traffic flow would also be significantly enhanced if a width/height restriction were placed on The Grove.

John Cobb

High Mill,

Addingham..

Hosts wanted

SIR, - Last year thanks to the generosity of local families, 14 children from Belarus enjoyed a holiday in our area.

Fresh air and good food helps to boost the immune system of those affected by the Chernobyl disaster, the results of which do not go away.

We would like to provide holidays again this year but need host families happy to take two children for two weeks during the summer if you feel you would like to do so.

Please contact me on (01756) 710459.

ANNE HODGSON

Meadowcroft House,

Draughton.

Traffic issues

SIR, - Your correspondence of last week seems slightly confused on the issue of the proposals for traffic management in Ilkley.

Sometimes consultation is about making suggestions and assessing the response. To only consult on what you intend to do and take no notice of residents is cynical.

As to the costs, the highways scheme is part of a capital scheme for West Yorkshire. It has no bearing whatsoever on the Council Tax for 2003-2004.

Coun MARTIN SMITH

102 King's Road,

Ilkley.