SIR, - I am amazed that people are still wanting to spend millions of pounds in a major roadworks exercise at Manor Park. I feel that a careful look at the evidence shows that it is unnecessary.

The new road markings greatly reduced accidents initially. However, as people got used to them the accident rate went back up again.

People have resumed their previous speedier driving habits. This road is not safe at 60mph. I reckon that 40mph is much more a sensible speed, particularly under adverse weather conditions.

A much more economic solution than major roadworks would be to install speed cameras, preferably two for each direction. If speed was monitored just before the initial bends in each direction, with a 40mph overall speed limit, I am sure that the accident rate would drop to a much lower figure.

In addition, the double white lines should be extended past the Little Chef right round the corner until the straight road section going towards Ilkley can be seen. The present road markings are misleading and dangerous.

I am sure that a rigorously imposed speed limit over such a short stretch of road would cause no real hardship and would be a far cheaper solution than a new dual-carriageway road with all the destruction of the environment (including a site of special scientific interest) that would occur.

The overall cost of an initial trial would be small, because if it proved to be a failure the speed cameras could then be redeployed elsewhere.

Please can we have less emotion and more commonsense in future discussions about this road and its accident rate.

Arthur Bailey

7 Nelson Road,

Ilkey.

Priorities wrong

SIR, - Ann Cryer's response to 'Halal and Hunting' raises questions about her priorities.

Naturally I am grateful for the Government giving us a transport system envied by the world, a health service without equal, streets free of violent crime, an education system famed for the quality of its end product, illegal immigration is but a memory, bogus asylum seekers are processed speedily and efficiently, benefit fraud is minimal, and race relations in cities like Bradford are a model of restraint, tolerance, and responsibility.

Having achieved all this why should Ann and her chums not indulge in their class warrior instincts by bashing a handful of toffs in red coats?

After all they could be wasting scarce Parliamentary time by debating trivialities like the threatened war with Iraq.

Mrs Cryer insists she is concerned to reduce cruelty to animals by banning hunting. By evading the issue on ritual slaughter she is guilty of double -standards.

But do carry on, Ann. Both you and your fellow dinosaurs bellowing at each other across the swamp of prejudice and banality which you are so clearly equipped to inhabit do add considerably to the gaiety of the nation.

D Y Smith

Peartree House,

Hebers Ghyll Drive,

Ilkley.

Precept protest

SIR, - I feel I must protests at the local precept imposed by Ilkley Parish Council. It would appear that we are being asked to pay twice for the same service, in view of the fact that parish councillors use the word 'augment' when asked for explanations.

Although the clerk to the parish council appears to think that the sum involved is miniscule, I can assure her that this is not the case for many people. In fact, a principle is involved which seems not to bother our parish councillors.

Incidentally, only Anne Hawkesworth of the district councillors whom I wrote to regarding the general percentage increase had the courtesy to reply to me.

Mr J Saltmarshe

34 Brewery Road,

Ilkley.

Statement clear

SIR, - I was glad to receive on visiting the Ilkley Gazette office a copy of the Ilkley Design Statement. As an expression of what Ilkley is and should be, this is as clear and comprehensive an expression of what our community needs as we could have expected from those who undertook its preparation .

Along with other members of the Rotary Club of Ilkley, I echo the acknowledgements recorded at the back of the document. Through your columns, we would like to register our thanks for what the Design Group and all those who worked with them have achieved. They have done a sterling job.

The document is extremely well packaged. It is a non-partisan work that reflects directly what is good for the town. The authors have used simple, straightforward English.

Emergent recommendations are separated clearly from the discussion and background by the use of colour and bold type. The text is well supported by a delightful mix of illustrations.

There are clear indications that the parish council is already in touch with the police on law and order issues. Health trusts are trying to ensure that the public is directly involved in planning for health provision.

On a personal level, I would have welcomed, in the Design Statement, some indication of what arrangements might be anticipated with regard to protecting the community from criminal disorder and for ensuring the health and well-being of our residents.

The Design Statement provides a blueprint for the future that must not be lost. I hope that other residents will read it, that schools will use it to teach our children about our community and that its recommendations will guide our elected representatives in looking after the future needs of Ilkley.

PHILIP CHINQUE

Parish Ghyll Drive,

Ilkley.

Top-class care

SIR, - I read with interest the report in last week's Gazette regarding 'lack of care' for cardiac patients at Airedale General Hospital.

I can only tell you of my own recent experience. I was admitted as an emergency case two weeks ago and taken to the Cardiac Care Unit, where I was seen instantly by a doctor and received intensive 24-hour care.

After four days in this splendid unit, I was transferred to a ward for less intensive nursing and recuperation. I have since returned home feeling better than I had for some time.

I can only emphasise that the cardiac care at Airedale Hospital is of the highest quality and that we are indeed very fortunate to have such a facility so near at hand.

PAUL ANNING

17 Grove Road,

Ilkley.

Family search

SIR, - I am looking for descendants of the Englishman Arthur Pfordten, born mid-1800s (?), who spent his life travelling and working in the Far East. He died in the 1970s in Malaysia, where he had married a Malay woman, with whom he had a number of children, including Ghanoum Pfordten and possibly Abdul Rahim Pfordten.

Please contact me by e-mail on jeanspj@bigpond.com or at the address below.

PETER JEANS

Box 117,

Bindoon,

Western Australia 6502.

Lost soldiers

SIR, - I am seeking contact with families or friends of 1/5 West Yorkshire Regiment accident victims in Iceland in the1939-45 war.

On February13, 1942, 18 young Yorkshire men of 'C' Company, 1st/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) were lost in an assault boat training exercise in Iceland. This February marked the 60th anniversary of this tragic loss which has not been given appropriate attention. The bodies of the lost soldiers were never found, but their names appear on the Brookwood Memorial in Surrey, together with others whom the fortune of war denied a known and honoured grave. I am a writer of history and seek contact with family members of the following soldiers or anyone else who may have information relating to the accident, the victims or their families:

ALFRED BAINES, Private, 4539224. Son of Walter and Sarah Baines and husband of Florence Baines of New Wortley, Leeds, Yorkshire. ARTHUR CHARLES EDGAR BALDRY, Lance Corporal, 5946650. Age 33. WILLIAM HENRY BALLANTYNE, Private, 4545836. Age 30. SYDNEY BANNISTER, Private, 4530416. Age 39. Son of John and Fanny Bannister and husband of Hester Elizabeth Bannister of Bradford, Yorkshire. HARRY CASEY, Private, 4531153. Age 36. GEORGE DUNNING, Private, 4541078. Age 24. Son of Joseph Dunning and Elizabeth Ann Dunning of Barnsley, Yorkshire. GEORGE EVANS, Private, 4539202. Age 27. Son of Edward Alfred and Annie Evans. RONALD WILLIAM GRAHAM, Lance Corporal, 4539014. Age 22. Son of William and Minnie Graham of Headingley, Leeds, Yorkshire.

RICHARD HEBBRON, Private, 4537212. Age 23. Son of William and Susan Hebbron. HENRY HOPKINS, Private, 3715799. Age 27. Son of Joshia and Annie Hopkins; husband of Frances Elizabeth Hopkins of Windsor, Berkshire. ARTHUR MACDONALD, Private, 4544288. Age 28. ARTHUR MULHOLLAND, Lance Corporal, 4532253. Age 33. Son of John and Sarah Jane Mulholland. LESLIE RILEY, Sergeant, 4537558, Age 23. Son of George and Alice Maude Riley and husband of Edith Riley of Clifford, Yorkshire.

JOHN HERBERT SMITH, Private, 4539548, Age 23. Son of Leonard Holmes and Annie Smith of Barnsley, Yorkshire. WALTER SPARLING, Private, 4537057, Age 24. Son of George and Mary Sparling of Tadcaster, Yorkshire. KENNETH TOPPING, Lance Corporal, 4538161. Age 22. Son of Robert and Sarah Jane Topping of Selby, Yorkshire. HERBERT WANNOP, Private, 3460537. Age 23. Son of Ada Wannop; foster-son and nephew of Isabella Mitchinson of Edale, Yorkshire. WALTER LEWIS WISE, Private, 4543255. Age 25. Son of Ethel Wise of New Wortley, Leeds.

Fridthor Eydal

P O Box 21,

235 Keflavik Airport,

Iceland.