Letters to the Editor

The Council has confirmed that before local residents secured funding through the Government's Single Regeneration Budget to refurbish 1,442 properties in the Royds area, which includes Delph Hill, there had been a draft proposal to demolish a large part of this estate to make way for new housing.

However, subsequent to the resident-led refurbishment of this estate, this proposal was withdrawn.

A partial demolition of The Acre has taken place, after consultation and with full support from the residents. No further demolition of Council housing on Delph Hill is proposed.

Alas, the UDP has not been altered, and the initial proposal remains, but I am assured by the Council this will be rectified at the earliest opportunity.

Can I then assure the residents of the Delph Hill estate that their homes will not be "cleared away to pave the way for private development" - a fact known by Ms Allen who contacted the UDP section last week and was told the facts as relayed to me.

Tony Dylak, Chief Executive, Royds Community Association.

SIR - We at the Fagley sheltered housing complex are constantly being invaded by sheep, goats, and horses wandering all over the grass and gardens.

Is the person responsible for these animals aware of what is happening? If so, will they do something about it before there is an accident?

H Hillam, Moorgate Avenue, Fagley.

SIR - Can the management of Leeds/Bradford International Airport tell me why so many of us from West Yorkshire still have to give our custom to Manchester Airport simply because it is impossible to get the services we need from Yeadon?

Furthermore, I would like to know why an operator like EasyJet is not using our local airport. This operator offers a wide range of services to European destinations, but in order to benefit we have to trek even further afield, to Liverpool Airport.

We were promised much-expanded services once 24-hour operations were sanctioned but these do seem to be rather a long time arriving - if ever! Why?

Donald M Wood, Swan Avenue, Gilstead, Bingley.

l Mr Ed Anderson, managing director of Leeds-Bradford International Airport, said:

"The measure of an airport's success is the number of people who fly into or out of it. In the six years since 24-hour operations were allowed, our traffic has grown as follows:

1. Domestic passengers up 19.3 per cent

2. International charter passengers up 132 per cent

3. International scheduled passengers up 205 per cent. Total passenger throughput has almost doubled over the period.

At the same time, around £25 million has been invested in the airport's facilities. This includes £15 million on a doubling in capacity, and total transformation of the terminal building.

Your correspondent asks about EasyJet. This airline has established bases at Luton and Liverpool because this gives them the geographic spread across the UK that fits best within their strategy as an airline. Like all airlines, EasyJet makes commercial decisions based on their view of the likely market for air services.

Although Leeds Bradford does not have an EasyJet, it has had excellent support and commitment from its airlines in enabling passenger throughput to double over six years. Just this week British Airways have announced the re-commencement of the LBA-Gatwick service. I am hopeful that other new routes will follow."

SIR - I must take this opportunity of thanking M Javaid for his kind words (T&A, August 15), when expressing his appreciation of the contributions made to the Letters page by myself and Mr Khan. I note from previous correspondence that Mr Javaid himself had made an intelligent contribution as had many other of your correspondents!

Your newspaper had also showed initiative by devoting extra pages for letters, especially after the riots, and a steady number of new correspondents have since emerged.

It is to be hoped that this healthy forum for expressing a wide range of views continues in its good works.

Alec Suchi, Allerton Road, Allerton.

SIR - Bradford Council's policy of preparing to take disabled people to court for non-payment of essential care is, as we all know, Bradford New Labour policy.

The Conservatives, who now have the authority to lift this most inhumane charge on the disabled, will certainly do nothing to alter the situation.

I believe both parties are committed to see more services denied the sick and disabled. Disabled car stickers are being withdrawn, drugs withheld, treatment denied and so it goes on. What is the position on health care in this country from those in charge!

I have received letters (open for inspection) from Ann Cryer, Keighley and Ilkley MP: "When diseases are preventable, as is the case with HIV/Aids, then it is sensible and financially sound to spend money on preventative measures. However, this can never be the case with other disabling diseases such as MS."

From Chief Executive of the National Institute of Clinical Excellent, Mr Andrew Dillon: "We do not take into account patients' perspective of the disease and the technology being appraised."

Members of Parliament have paid themselves increased salaries and our city councillors have now given themselves a guaranteed wage that the disabled must envy.

David Samuels, Multiple Sclerosis Support Group, Station Road, Oxenhope.

SIR - Please can you publicise our Horticultural Show. For many years this show has appeared as part of Keighley Agricultural Show, which has been cancelled due to foot-and-mouth disease. However, with the backing of Keighley Agricultural Show Society and many sponsors, we can go ahead.

For this year, the 166th Keighley Horticultural Show, we shall be using Oakbank Recreation Centre, on Ingrow Lane behind Oakbank School. The show is on Saturday, September 1 and is open to the public from 1pm.

John Brooker (show secretary), Raglan Street, Keighley.