Letters to the Editor

SIR - It is difficult not to admire the tenacity and singlemindedness displayed by the campaigners for the cross-Bradford rail link.

In their regular series of letters they tirelessly describe the advantages which the scheme might produce, while firmly dismissing any suggestion that it might not actually by achievable.

My advice to them has been based on experience gained the hard way, the prime example being the Leeds Supertram scheme which, despite having been professionally planned, economically proved and, in principle, accepted by Government ministers, is no nearer (at the time of writing) being approved than it was 15 years ago.

It follows, therefore, that no project without a thoroughly-tested business case has the remotest chance of satisfying the government's rigorous criteria for major projects.

That is a fact of life which cannot be ignored, with which all councils and transport operators have to live, and without which no cross-rail scheme could be considered.

Having said that, I feel that all the relevant factors have been restated many, many times, and there is no further point in my repeating them.

Councillor Stanley King, chairman, West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, Wellington Street, Leeds.

Pic-Vic truths

SIR - In reply to your correspondent Mr Morris (T&A, May 16), it was not due to a lack of a solution that a heavy link was not built between Manchester Victoria and Picccadily railway stations.

The "Pic-Vic" scheme was developed in the 1970s and would have provided a heavy rail tunnel between the two stations, allowing cross-city suburban services. The scheme was supported by the local authorities, but funding was not given by central government.

Regarding Bradford Cross-rail, calls for a through line to link the two separate rail networks have been made since before the Great War and will continue, irrespective of the fact that the Broadway development, when built, will obstruct an obvious alignment.

In differing circumstances, when substantial capital investment needs to be made to finance rail expansion, schemes like Cross-rail will be viewed more favourably.

This view is not derived from a sense of optimism, but from a realisation that viable alternatives need to be developed to reduce car usage and pollution.

Alec Suchi, Secretary Bradford Rail Users Group, Allerton Road, Bradford.

Blair must listen

SIR - I recently had an appointment with a specialist at the BRI who exhorted our group to do something about the diversion of funds from the NHS to the private sector when, to my astonishment, I read that our new Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, is diverting £3 billion to the private sector and then she will listen and learn.

I would have thought it prudent, if not essential, to listen and learn before making that kind of commitment to the private sector. She certainly doesn't do it with our blessing and I would have thought that those who voted the Labour party in for a third term would not agree to it either.

Mr Blair also said he would listen and learn, but who are they listening to? Certainly not the people who are suffering waiting lists and poor levels of communication in the health service where patients are given inappropriate information which, in some cases, could be disastrous.

We are of the view that governments are there to serve the needs of the people and maximise the benefits for all. We did not vote for privatisation!

Audrey Raistrick, Neighbourly Care Bradford, Westgate, Eccleshill.

Credit to the NHS

SIR - At a time when the NHS comes in for a great deal of criticism, it is opportune to congratulate it when it performs well.

I was recently referred by my optician for a cataract operation on my right eye. I attended the eye clinic at Westwood Park, Swift Drive, for my initial examination on April 20, was operated upon on April 25, and finally discharged on May 11.

The whole process was conducted by the Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Trust under the control of the consultant Mr C Hutchinson and his team.

I was treated with the utmost courtesy, professionalism and efficiency from the start to the finish of the treatment.

I hope that the Bradford Hospital Trust will be able to find some way of continuing collaboration with Calderdale & Huddersfield.

It certainly benefits patients and brings credit to the NHS in general.

John A Canning, Lynwood Close, Birkenshaw.

It's time to act

SIR - With the recent controversy regarding global warming and renewable energy it seems only right to tell our elected representatives to use their positive vision regarding our future, if we wish to live in the way we are accustomed to.

It has to be addressed immediately, and here are a couple of suggestions:

1. All new properties domestic or commercial should be planned compulsorily to accommodate as much solar heating as possible. Grants should be given to anyone wishing to install solar heating or any other form of mother nature's free elements so long as it doesn't interfere with other parties (isolated properties, high buildings etc).

2. Wind farms seem to be controversial, so these should be built as far away from inhabited areas as possible. There will be a voltage drop here, but properly planned the amount of gained semi/free power via sub stations will contend with this.

Mother Nature's fossil fuels, oil and gas are running out fast and if we do not wish to be held to ransom by imported energy our representatives must act now.

Derek Wright, Westbury Street, Bradford.

A fun day out

SIR - I would like to inform all fundraising groups of a chance to raise money for their organisations and have a good day out as well.

On Saturday, June 18, at 10am, at Marley Stadium, Keighley, there is a fun run to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bradford Sport & Recreation Association for People with Disabilities.

We will be organising this in conjunction with the Recreation Division of Bradford Council and helped by the Keighley Lions. There is a 5k fun run/walk, 3k junior run/walk, a wheelchair race and a children's mini cross country.

Everybody is welcome and if successful the event could be an annual one. The new town mayor will be opening the event.

If you are interested contact Rob Cooper or Barry Thorne on 01274 437093 or e-mail bsr@btconnect. com, or write to the address below.

Barry Thorne, BSRAPD Activities Support/Fundraising Officer, Shipley Town Hall, Shipley.

Sloppy English

SIR - I agree with Mike Priestley (T&A, May 14), it is annoying to see sloppy English. Nobody would dream of saying, for example: "It cost fewer than ten pounds," so why are they happy to say "less than ten items"?

Another bugbear is the constant use of "down to" in place of "because" and "up to."

For example: "It is because of you that so and so and it is up to me to put matters right."

"Down to" would be wrong in both cases but who cares?

You get sports reporters, thinking they are above the rest when they refer to a sports team Ayax when they mean Ajax. They don't refer to Paris as Pa-ree but as Paris, the English pronunciation of France's capital.

And why do English TV personalities refer to "lingerie" as lawngeray instead of larngerie. The word lingerie in French is a diminutive of "linge" (larnge, laundry) or in other words "smalls" (despair)!

P E Bird, Nab Wood Terrace, Shipley.

Question of health

SIR - The Royal College of Nursing wants smoking banned in all public places. This would save 600 deaths a year.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt will legislate to make Health Service managers responsible for MRSA in their hospitals which is claiming 5,000 lives a year.

Have I missed something?

A J Lund, Lennie Street, Keighley.