Letters to the Editor

have simply run out of ideas

SIR, - Your correspondent (Traffic issue, January 20) considers the reactions to the speed humps on the Moor Road to be 'ill conceived' and emanate from 'unthinking motorists'.

He is very wrong. Many discussions on the subject have revealed deeply thought out viewpoints, none of which could be fairly called ill conceived.

There are some locations where traffic calming, over and above that provided by the existing laws of the highway, may be desirable. The curtailment of a 'rat run' through a housing estate may be one such.

The bumps through the Sandholme estate in Burley-in-Wharfedale are a good example and are not generally objcted to. If drastic traffic calming is necessary on more major roads - and I emphasise IF - there are numerous ways in which this may be achieved, varying from flashing signs indicating the speed of individual vehicles, to artificial chicanes which narrow the road to a single lane at strategic points.

The provision of humps which prevent normal passage of traffic along B class roads is the fall-back position of the highway planner who has run out of better ideas, or money, or both.

The claim that this system of traffic calming 'owes much of its unpopularity to its success' is a also a fatuous statement.

Similar 'success' could no doubt be acieved by erecting five-bar gates at 300-metre intervals. No doubt the unpopularity of such a move would be hailed as proof of its outstanding success!

Ill concerived and unthinking? I think not.

DEREK G SMITH

Wingfield,

Queens Drive,

Ilkley.

A knee-jerk

SIR, - Possible newspaper headlines - 'Britannia trembles at youth folly' 'Yorkshire rock art banned by EU'.

Time to put the books straight, at least some of them. It is understandable a proportion of the country were dismayed at the pictures in last week's national press. However let us not forge there was more than one race, creed or supposed aberration put to death in those gas chambers.

Why do we rarely hear of the thousands of Rom, the disabled and/or mentally ill amongst others who lost their lives? If today's young are to be taught history then teach the whole TRUTH and nothing less.

Now the EU are to ban ALL forms of swastika. Another knee-jerk reaction no doubt.

Ilkley's award winning Millennium Maze would be outlawed. Wharfedale schools, Ilkley rugby club and others would have to spend thousands of pounds to follow this dictate. A National Monument may have to be reclassified.

Archaeologists could be banned from illustrating flyfots in their literature? Equally architects and designers who use classical Greek or Roman influences in their work.

Chinese restaurants would be unable to use a symbol of good luck -The Wan. Historical churches and temples could be officially defaced and their ancient religious texts rewritten. The list is endless and we haven't touched the Americans.

Centuries use of the fylfot symbol could be banned in memory of 60 years ago. We must NEVER remove something which has transcended time and politics in the name of so-called correctness.

FRAZER IRWIN

Queens Road,

Ilkley.

Democracy

SIR, - Ilkley is characterised by the mostly considerate behaviours of local people and visitors which help to make our town so attractive. Reflecting that character, there is an unusually large support in our town for actions thathelp poor countries.

That generosity of spirit also provides support in Ilkley for deprived and excluded communities in this country, and for considerate and egalitarian policies generally. That gentle attitude transcends most political dimensions and all religious and ethical persuasions.

We now face a challenge to our reputation for moderation and kindness. The BNP has selected its national leader as its candidate in our town, and for the General Election some expect might happen this year. Whereas Ilkley's own political organisations try to maintain a polite style of public exchanges, that has never been the approach of the BNP and its supporters.

Abusive campaigning is very divisive, and drives people away from areas thought to be sectarian in character. Whether the targets are Jewish, Catholic, from other continents or, more recently, from the newly liberated countries of central Europe, the venom of hatred has been much the same.

Now the BNP are bringing that style of propaganda to the polite atmosphere of Ilkley because our town is part of the Keighley constituency. Being intolerant of in tolerance is an essentially British political trait we can be justly proud of.

In recent history, each of the major parties has taken firm action to disown prominent members who have made intemperate speeches that attacked or ridiculed minorities. We understand the terrible effects such nasty behaviours can create, and we don't want it here.

Nearly everyone agrees that the polite British way of campaigning - especially in Ilkley - that respects the rights and life-style of others, is the best way of debating our choices. Because Ilkley is in a marginal Parliamentary constituency where the BNP element is already attracting controversy, it's up to all of us to take our democratic responsibilities seriously.

Andrew Dundas

Chairman,

Keighley and Ilkley

Labour Party,

The New Homestead,

Parish Ghyll Drive,

Ilkley.

Safety call

SIR, - With regard to the proposals for traffic calming on Cowpasture road, measures to reduce the speed of vehicles using the moors road both into and out of Ilkley are extremely welcome.

However, as highlighted by a reader's letter in your paper on January 20, a mini roundabout at the junction with Wheatley Road does not appear sufficient to prevent vehicles ascending and descending a long stretch of Cowpasture Road and Hanging Stones Road at high speeds. This makes the road dangerous for road users, pedestrians and schoolchildren and also creates high levels of road noise.

In particular, there are two areas of concern that the mini roundabout proposals ignore:

In the first instance it is vital that traffic calming measures - preferably road humps or at a very minimum a succession of warning/danger signs and meaningful road markings - begin well in advance of the cattle grid as vehicles descend into Ilkley.

This would create a long enough stretch of road where the pace of traffic is relatively slow and even.

Secondly, the cattle grid itself is an accident blackspot in close proximity to a sharp bend where vehicles frequently crash. Consequently, drivers need to be persuaded to slow down significantly before crossing the grid.

This is particularly important given that there are a number of footpaths leading from this area on to the moors. This makes the road in the immediate vicinity of the grid a particularly hazardous spot for pedestrians to cross as vehicles approach at high speed.

Whatever proposals are adopted, an outcome which took into consideration the issues above, would benefit local residents and also be in the best interest and safety of road users and pedestrians.

RESIDENT

Name and address

supplied

Free speech

SIR, - Surely we should all be glad to be living in a country of free speech? Every shade of public opinion is untrammelled.

With the election approaching, we know that we can voice whatever opinions we like, however ill-informed, vicious or just plain silly.

Intelligent comment is to be welcomed from every political angle at this time, rather than the ignorant whinging, often displayed, about our hard-working, efficient and likeable MP, who cares deeply for the safety and proper treatment for all her constituents.

ELIZABETH SINGLETON

1/13, Parish Ghyll Road,

Ilkley.

Contact us

LAST week the Gazette received a letter asking us for help in the case of a social housing tenant having problems with benefit claims. However, there was no name and address on the letter. Could the writer please contact chief reporter Paul Langan on (01943) 607022 to discuss a possible report and to verify that the letter was genuine. The Gazette will not disclose the identify of any contact who wishes to remain anonymous but reporters have to verify that contacts are genuine.