Time to adopt the old Clean Air Act?

It is a fact that, had the debris been left long enough to dry out (and it can't rain forever), it would have burned quickly and fairly cleanly.

However, I would make the more general comment that, whether lawful or not, all daytime bonfires are anti-social. They obviously cause pollution to the atmosphere, they cause distress to people with breathing problems, the smoke damages washed clothes hanging out to dry, the smell permeates people's dwellings - do I need to go on?

We do not seem to hear much from the 'Greens' on this topic. Perhaps they are inside, watching television with windows sealed and blinds drawn.

It is a great pity that the old Ilkley Council did not adopt the Clean Air Act when it came in. Perhaps there is a case for lobbying Bradford Council on the subject.

VICTOR M BEAN

112 Skipton Road,

Ilkley.

Helping Scouts

SIR, - Here at the Scout and Guide Headquarters on Wheatley Lane, Ben Rhydding, we are not particularly worried about our hut sliding down the hill. We haven't seen any noticeable change for many years, thank goodness!

However, what we have seen - and this is the real reason that we are raising money for new premises - is that the poor old headquarters is BURSTING AT THE SEAMS.

We currently run a Beaver Colony, two Cub Packs, a Brownie Pack, a Guide Company, a Scout Troop and a Venture Scout Unit - nearly 140 children every week!

Our aim is to have a building which can accommodate two meetings at the same time which will enable us to increase the number of children to whom we can give the benefits of Scouting and Guiding. As you said in your report, our group is thriving.

We have waiting lists for our Beaver Colony, our two Cub Packs and Brownie Pack are all full and we are forced to over-flow into the Church Hall up the road as it is!

Our headquarters are also used during the day for Ben Rhydding Pre-School Playgroup who are also short of space for activities and storage. We feel that our efforts in fundraising today will benefit the Ilkley children of tomorrow and the £50,000 we have already collected has been well worth the effort.

We would like to thank the Ilkley Gazette for its continued support both for our appeal and for our group and all Scouting and Guiding in Wharfedale. With your help and all the people of Ilkley we will achieve our goal in the not too distant future.

PETER BASTOW

Assistant Group Scout Leader,

Fundraising Committee,

6 Wheatley Grove,

Ilkley.

Time to complain

SIR, - I attended the recent forum meeting at the Clarke-Foley Centre, held with the Keighley Division police. Concern was expressed about road safety on Bolling Road but a representative from Bradmet Transportation and Planning Service gave little hope of any further measures beyond the 'slow' signs which have appeared recently.

It needs complaints from more people to bring to Bradmet's attention the dangers, particularly for pedestrians, of this road.

A significant minority of motorists exceed the speed limit of 30 mph by at least 20 mph. Many accidents have occurred, some with fatal consequences during the past ten years whilst I have been resident in

Ilkley.

The problem is also getting worse due to increased traffic flow. One car recently ended up in my garden with another one on the pavement whilst at the junction with Manley Road, in the space of 18 months, two cars have finished up in the same garden! A street lamp was also knocked down during the Christmas period.

If we include Springs Lane (a continuation of Bolling Road) then there are the following amenities on this stretch:- hospital, health centre with chemist across the road, two school entrances, a playing field, a church and a shopping centre - all within a distance of less than one mile. The danger to pedestrians in particular is obvious.

The problem is that Bolling Road is fairly straight, allowing cars to travel quickly, but there are numerous junctions which are a major hazard. Combine this with the long curves on Bolling Road and visibility can be restricted, particularly when there are parked cars, which is not unusual.

Measures are clearly needed to slow cars down. Speed cameras are effective but costly, the main problem being that the money from fines goes into the Home Office's pocket whereas Bradmet have to pay for cameras - clearly a nonsensical situation.

Richard Bly

Bolling Road,

Ilkley.

Democracy stifled

SIR, - Just before Christmas, the Government rushed through legislation which effectively tampers with our democracy.

Typically, any group wishing to stand candidates for local/national government must first be registered, which involves significant bureaucracy and cost.

Community and interest groups wishing to promote their views through newspaper ads, leaflets, public meetings, even websites also stand to be hit - even if they don't refer to a party or a candidate, or have any political intent.

This straight-jacket on promoting proper public debate will be ongoing, even past a General Election. The scheme is such a mess that public notes for guidance are not yet available, and the new Electoral Commission is not yet permitted to confirm whether individuals and groups wishing to exercise 'free speech' will have to register at cost!

Through its sheer complexity and scope for error, it will turn many currently law abiding people into criminals.

However, at least someone will benefit. If re-elected the Government is likely to hold a referendum towards scrapping the Pound.

The new legislation unlevels the playing field very much in their favour. They have already earmarked more than £15 million of taxpayers' money for promoting the Euro, compared with the £13 million for extra flood defences!

The Government hypocritically ignored the spirit of their own law in sneaking through a large donation before the new rules came into force. This is totally unacceptable for a ruling party claiming to promote 'equality of opportunity' and 'human rights', such as freedom of expression, so I call on voters to boycott the control freaks.

Any community groups or individuals wishing to learn how the legislation affects them may write to me with a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Brian Mooney

Campaign Manager,

New Alliance,

PO Box 13199,

London,

SW6 6ZU.

Breaking law

SIR, - I write to concur with the complaints of the traffic along Bolling Road and Springs Lane.

Living on Skipton Road, I have every sympathy with these residents, as the situation on this road, (the A65) is just as dreadful, and just as dangerous

An unofficial census of traffic on this road put the figure of 20,000 vehicles every 24 hours. - it is, of course, like Bolling Road, a 30 mph area, and again, I would probably say at least 50 per cent, probably 75 per cent travel at 40mph and above.

Despite so called improvements carried out recently, crossing the road is still extremely dangerous for pedestrians. What absolutely mystifies me is the fact that all these individuals are breaking the law, and it would seem no action is taken by the police.

If their headquarters were in Skipton Road, maybe it would be different?

Kenneth Bennett

April Cottage,

34 Skipton Rd,

Ilkley.

Traffic facts

SIR, - Further to the subject of the traffic volume along Bolling Road, your staff hit a fairly quiet time (94 vehicles in 20minutes).

Last September, on three mornings during the same week from 8.15 to 8.30am, I counted 129, 109 and 151 vehicles passing the house in either direction. The low figure of 109 was during the petrol crisis.

In 1996 the numbers during the same period of time on three successive mornings in May were 137,133 and 121, and from 8.45 to 9am on May 17 the number had risen to 190.

I doubt whether physical traffic calming measures would be appropriate along this road, but some reminders affixed to lampposts would certainly help (30 MPH - WATCH YOUR SPEED) as on the A6068 road from Laneshawbridge to Colne.

A D GLOVER

79 Bolling Road,

Ilkley.

The real problem

SIR, - I have been reading with interest the recent correspondence in your newspaper about the use of Bolling Road by motorists avoiding the main road to the centre of Ilkley.

In the past when I drove to the centre of Ilkley (or through it for that matter) I used to use the main road (the A65). I stopped doing this when speed limit was changed - presumably because of political correctness - from 40mph to 30mph.

As soon as this happened I started using Bolling Road and as long as the silly speed limit exists on the A65 I shall continue to use this route. It has got nothing to do with traffic lights!

I do wish your correspondents would stop criticising motorists and turn their attention to the real problem - the politicians.

R F ADDISON

2 Tanfield Drive,

Burley in Wharfedale.

Oven door open

SIR, - They seek him here, they seek him there. In fact, Mrs Parker (Gazette letters, February 1) has been searching everywhere.

But I am pleased to report that I have been found and there will be no dirty ovens when I am around.

Just call me on (01943) 608633 and you will see.

Brian Mawer

9 Oakburn Road,

Ilkley.