SIR – Congratulations to Philip Davies and Kris Hopkins for speaking out against the continual extensive funding of projects in inner city Bradford at the expense of the neglected, under-funded, outlying districts.

Many years ago the former Shipley Urban District Council worked hard to attract a major HMRC office to Shipley and made it a thriving town. Now, under Bradford Council central, not only are HMRC moving to Leeds without much opposition but Shipley has been decreed not worthy of even a public toilet in the busy marketplace.

There is only so much hard-working traders can do to keep Shipley “alive”. The only contribution from Bradford Council has been to create problems by moving a rehabilitation facility into the town hall.

Wrose had two primary schools and a thriving community centre. Now we’re left with one oversubscribed primary school.

The Council sold the land on which the other assets stood to developers but none of the proceeds were re-invested in the Wrose community.

Under a devalued authority, Keighley, Shipley and Ilkley may stand a chance of having local problems addressed. At least a local council would be accountable to local people and not waste money on vanity projects.

S Benn, Oakdale Road, Wrose

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