SIR, It is to be sincerely hoped that your leading article in the current edition of the Ilkley Gazette (December 27), coupled with the report of the six mums and the dangers caused by traffic on Bolton Road will finally spur the council into action.

I wrote to the council on Juen 27, 1999 and received a reply dated February 3, 2000. In this it was stated that my request for traffic calming would be considered and would await funding.

This was before the change of age at what is now Addingham Primary.

Thus, 30 months later, not one thing has been done for the many elderly residents in the area. For half of this time one can add the danger to very young children.

It is risible to read that the council considered Bolton Road to be too dangerous for a school crossing patrol person, yet presumably safe for children as young as four years old and for disabled pensioners.

The answer is to have speed ramps between the Catholic Church and The Acres Junction. These would slow down speeding cars more effectively than any number of signs.

As regards costs, it has been done for a long way either side of Burley Primary School and in Menston there is a virtual plethora of speed ramps along Leathley Road, Avenue and Crescent.

With the possible exception of the Avenue that runs by the side of the park (totally unnecessary) when will it be our turn? Or must someone be killed first?

BRYAN PRITCHARD

27 Bolton Road,

Addingham.

Stars in appeal

SIR, - How about making 2002 a year to remember by asking all your readers to take up Breakthrough Breast Cancer's £1,000 challenge?

They'd by in good company - many of Breakthrough's celebrity supporters have already raised £1,000 or more for Breakthrough's crucial research, including us.

This year is Breakthrough's tenth anniversary year. Ten years ago its dream was to establish the first centre in the UK dedicated to breast cancer research. Breakthrough's centre was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1999.

Teams of world-class scientists are now working hard looking into the reasons why breast cancer happens and how we can prevent it. To fund this very important research Breakthrough needs to raise more than £5 million every year.

This is where your readers can help. It doesn't matter how long it takes to raise £1,000. They can do it with friends, at work, at school. Once they sign up to become a Challenger, Breakthrough will send them lots of information and tips on how to raise money and organise events.

And for every £1,000 raised, Breakthrough's corporate partner, Kodak, will contribute an extra £100 up to a total of £100,000.

So please make that New Year's resolution now and call the Kodak/Breakthrough £1,000 Challenge hotline on 0207 557 6611. Thank you very much - and a Happy New Year to you all!

GABY ROSLIN

JANE HORROCKS

BARBARA WINDSOR

On behalf of Breakthrough

Breast Cancer

Hope in Bible

SIR, - Recent events have certainly brought home to us the evil and wickedness in the world.

Despite the efforts of many well-meaning people, it seems that many of the problems facing society are unsurmountable. Not only do was have the threat o war and terrorism, but also environmental destruction, rising crime and the break-up of family life.

It was reported, following the events of September 11, that there was a small religious revival, with church attendance and the sales of Bibles increasing. But I wonder whether this has continued - how often are those Bibles opened now that the initial fear has subsided?

There is no doubt the Bible is difficult to read, but it offers peace and comfort, and, above all, the hope for a future when all the problems of today will be solved.

For several years I have used the 'Bible Companion', a set of Bible reading tables which enable me to read the entire Bible in a year.

I would be happy to send a copy, free of charge, to any of your readers who would like one, so that they might experience for themselves the joy, happiness and hope for the brighter future that the Bible offers.

RICHARD BENSON

40 York Road,

Hitchin,

Herts SG5 1XB.