A great job by Council gritters

SIR - I would like to put on record what a fantastic job Bradford Council have done in keeping the roads of Bradford open during the recent arctic weather.

I have seen the gritting teams out at all times of day and night.

Unlike some local authorities elsewhere in the country who only seem to react after the event, Bradford Council are very proactive in treating the roads before the cold weather arrives.

A pre-emptive strike on the snow and ice in addition to the tireless efforts of the gritting teams have made Bradford Council a local authority to be admired in their efforts to keep Bradford moving. Well done.

Ian Hales, Meadow Close, Harden.

Their own fault

SIR - Some of your correspondents seem to think that if they exceed the speed limit by three or four miles per hour they shouldn't be punished.

Have they not seen the TV adverts showing what happens if a person is hit by a vehicle travelling too fast?

Pauline Simpson (T&A, February 10) and Peter Rutherford (T&A, February 12) both admit to driving over 30 mph.

Mr Rutherford objects to the hike in his insurance premium due to having three points on his licence while Ms Simpson is worried that having been caught twice and receiving six points she is in danger of losing her licence.

They have only themselves to blame, and as for wondering if the fines are a ploy by the government to fill up the coffers of the Treasury, I'm afraid not - the government didn't have its foot on either of their accelerators.

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.

Signs not enough

SIR - It's not only on Bradford City home days that Sylket Close has parking problems (T&A, February 11).

Several people working in the firms to the right of the Close also park there from Monday to Friday.

I drive a WYTS bus for the disabled down there twice a day, five days a week to pick up and deliver a client to and from home!

It is often impossible to turn round or even get there due to inconsiderate non-residential parking. There are signs up, but it's not enough!

Robin Johnson, Littlecote, Thackley.

Why so bored?

SIR - Can someone please explain why, in the Pudsey area at evenings and weekends, teenagers are hanging around street corners when there are leisure facilities on the doorstep?

There is a leisure centre in the Market Place while Bramley Baths are within walking distance, but the bus shelter on Waterloo Road is regularly occupied by teenagers, bored out of their minds.

Both the local authority and private enterprise spend millions of pounds between them to provide leisure facilities for all age groups, not just teenagers, yet the reluctance to use them beggars belief.

A Shipman, Harley Gardens, Swinnow, Leeds.

T&A 'prejudice'

SIR - The T&A's editorial of February 17 headlined 'Drug unit concerns are valid' made a clear prejudicial judgment regarding the nature of patients likely to use a drug clinic in Bradford with negative terms such as 'drug users hanging about could intimidate the public'.

It seems incredible that the T&A can support such negative, uninformed stereotyping, without evidence. I would have thought that lessons from 60 years ago show how dangerous this can be.

A more responsible, balanced editorial would applaud the courage of such individuals and the professionals that support them giving every encouragement to promote rehabilitation.

Perhaps people in positions of power and influence in the media should consider themselves fortunate that they or their family do not find themselves needing such help!

Les Vasey, Temple Rhydding Drive, Baildon, Shipley.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: The exact sentence used was "THERE ARE FEARS THAT drug users hanging around the area close to the rehabilitation centre could intimidate the public."

Empty my bin

SIR - I have a grey recycling bin full of two months' worth of paper. Do you think anyone might want to come and collect it at any point?

Shouldn't be difficult to spot it, as it will be in the same place as it was put out for collection by the Council; at the side of the road, half-blocking the pavement.

Peter Burns, Rose Lynn Terrace, off Halifax Road, Bradford.

Traffic challenge

SIR - Mike Priestley (T&A February 19) makes the point that we should all be trying to produce less climate-change gas and the enormity of the challenge is highlighted by his comments on the impending gridlock in Shipley.

Indeed the Drive supplement the day before shows how difficult it is going to be with the information that traffic levels on Britain's roads increased for the fifth successive year in 2004 and that the registrations of 4x4s have more than doubled since 2001.

It might be worth asking the major political parties what they intend to do to reverse these trends as they seem reluctant to take action and just prefer to talk about the challenge.

Keith Thomson, Heights Lane, Bradford.

Un-fare remark

SIR - In response to David Rhodes's letter (T&A, February 17) about the rise in bus fares for the elderly from 30p to 35p, how dare he suggest that other bus fares should be increased.

If I paid the full fare to get from home to work on Manningham Lane it would cost me £5 per day which is extortionate.

Luckily, I am able to obtain a First Day Yorkshire ticket which costs me £2.80 (gone up by 10p recently). With the rise it would cost an elderly person £1.40.

I would like to point out that I am not a young "whippersnapper" but a soon-to-be "elderly" person and I would have no objection to paying 50p to travel.

Mrs Elizabeth Gardener, Carr House Road, Shelf.

Badges of cruelty

SIR - Like me, readers have probably noticed that real fur has been shown during London Fashion Week. It is not the first time and, unfortunately, I doubt it will be the last that animal fur has been on display in this way.

The fur industry has put a great deal of effort (and money) into a publicity and marketing effort to persuade people involved in fashion (including designers) that fur is acceptable and encouraged its use in collections.

That does not mean that fur is now OK. It is not; it is cruel and unnecessary and simply because a few designers and models have been seen with it does not mean it is back in fashion (as the fur trade would have us believe) or acceptable.

Indeed, the selling and promotion of fur in this day and age is entirely hypocritical. This country has banned both fur factory farming and the use of the steel-jawed leghold trap.

If nobody bought any real fur and those wearing it were shunned, the industry and suffering would end. It's that simple. The fur items worn by models during London Fashion Week should be seen for what they really are - badges of cruelty.

Mark Glover, Campaigns Director, Respect for Animals, Front Street, Nottingham.

Small but friendly

SIR - I am pleased about your Buy It In Bradford campaign though some shops do need to tidy up their act, especially the bargain ones.

Incidentally, I seldom go to Leeds. I find the multitude of shops too tiring. Small(er) is usually more friendly and certainly not as taxing on both the feet and the stress level.

Mrs J Scurrah, Wellington Road, Wilsden.