SIR - Your report of November 4 about the "New laws to make Bonfire Night safer" obviously were not upheld in Allerton. Not only on November 5 were we all subjected to the sounds of illegal air bombs being let off until 1.30am but we had to suffer it all over again on Saturday and Sunday.

I rang the police over the noise from the Allerton estate and was told by the officer: "It's Bonfire weekend".

Why did the whole weekend have to be given to the moronic individuals who wish not only to break the law but to upset everyone's pets? Are we meant to keep them in for three days and nights?

We've all waited years for a change to the laws on fireworks. Gerry Sutcliffe's efforts have failed miserably. So why don't we for once and all ban all fireworks and cancel November 5.

I don't remember reading Guy Fawkes had three attempts on three consecutive days to blow up Parliament, so why should we have to consider it okay?

Jenny Sampson, Rossmore Drive, Allerton.

SIR - I see that Labour councillor Vanda Greenwood has started the personal attacks on Conservative Parliamentary candidate Philip Davis that we can expect from Chris Leslie's campaign.

It is a pity that Ms Greenwood and her Labour chums are not prepared to discuss real and important issues such as crime, health, pensions, education, asylum, immigration and Iraq.

However, given Labour's poor record on all of these issues, I guess resorting to personal abuse is all they have left to talk about.

It is ironic that Labour claim to have introduced all-postal voting to try and increase turnout, yet they are now indulging in the type of petty personal abuse which so turns off the electorate.

Bu the way, is this the same Coun Vanda Greenwood who doesn't even live in the ward she is supposed to represent on the Council? Surely not. Can she really be so hypocritical?

E C Ward, Hoyle Court Avenue, Baildon.

Sir - In 2002 Action for a Sustainable Bradford (the Bradford residents lobby group) not only lobbied Bradford Council against plans for a municipal waste incinerator (which generates highly-toxic flue gas and ash as a by-product of intense burning) but also called for extensive household, multi-material recycling collections, backed up with education and warned that a paper-only recycling collection would not meet this first recycling target.

The mind-set is plainly 'do as little as possible' when a Council introduces a 'paper only' collection system when we consume many different materials on a daily basis.

Every councillor was provided with documentation which offered guidance to maximise recycling rates and also allow for local, sustainable job creation.

It still looks like a change in mind-set is required from council leaders and policy officers. Pity the investment wasn't put into offering a proper recycling service instead of burying it in the ground for the next two years.

This recycling target is only the first - the targets will incrementally increase over time. How does Bradford Council plan to meet future obligations?

Chris Mackins, Co founder, Action for a Sustainable Bradford (ASB), Allan Terrace, Sowerby Bridge.

SIR - Replying to my letter (T&A, November 3), Mrs F Pickles makes some staggering statements concerning her religious beliefs.

She writes that: "God is not someone who orders and directs the world," thus undermining the whole system of belief enshrined in the Bible at one fell swoop!

Then, countering my comment that religion is the root cause of all the blood-soaked mayhem world wide, she says: "It is people who don't believe in God who cause all the trouble."

Cue double-take! For goodness sake, Bush, Blair, Sharon, Arafat, bin Laden, etc all believe in God!

I fear Mrs Pickles is either wearing mega-size blinkers or is emulating the fabled response of the ostrich to difficult situations.

Finally, she urges me: "Don't blame God for all this trouble." How on earth could I when in my philosophy, God doesn't even exist?

The real trouble is that believers are prepared to slaughter their fellow human beings in defence of their own versions of this non-existent fantasy.

That is the tragically horrifying history of religion through the ages.

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

SIR - The Forum Focused on Pensioner Power last month presented hundreds of petitions for free transport for pensioners to Councillor Stanley King, chairman of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority.

Since London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Wales, Scotland and Ireland provide free transport for their pensioners, why not pensioners throughout Britain? Are we not entitled to the same provision?

Coun King has now presented the petitions to all Bradford MPs for their support of a Private Members Bill being introduced to Parliament for free transport for pensioners throughout Britain.

We must keep the pressure up and in the forthcoming General Election in 2005 ensure that our Parliamentary representatives respect the wishes and needs of the pensioner population. As members of the NPC, BGOP and OPAG we shall be active on all issues affecting pensioners.

The army of pensioners is growing and as there are 140,000 in Bradford and growing, we look to our councillors and MPs heeding our voices. Many thanks to Coun King for his support.

Audrey Raistrick (secretary, Forum Focused on Pensioner Power), Westgate, Victoria Road, Eccleshill.

Sir - There's having a neck, then there's Gerry Sutcliffe! I read in amazement the article about the closure of the area's sub-post offices (T&A November 4) and the indignation expressed by the Labour MP.

Just one point though, aren't many of these closures a direct result of his Labour government changing the way benefits/pensions are paid? Shouldn't he be berating his government rather than passing the blame on to the Post Office?

Yes I am all for using new technology and moving to a more secure system of payments. But to force our pensioners to move to a system they don't want to is sheer bullying by this government and is causing so many sub-post offices to close.

Perhaps Mr Sutcliffe would do well to apologise for his government's contribution in this, rather than shouting at others. Then again I doubt he would even consider it.

Coun Roger Taylor (Con, Northowram and Shelf Ward Calderdale MBC), Glen Terrace, Halifax.

Sir - I am becoming increasingly alarmed at the danger spot that is Saltaire roundabout.

It's all well and good the Bingley Relief Road getting a gong for being aesthetically pleasing, but you tell that to the motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who have to endure this death trap day in day out.

I can guarantee you that there are countless near-misses, abuses of the lanes and swear words uttered at the roundabout. When are those in power going to actually do something constructive about this problem rather than just stick flowers in it?

D Watkins, Park Grove, Shipley.

SIR - Some of the dirtiest and ugliest buildings to dominate our skyline for many years are those belonging to Bradford University yet they have escaped the scathing criticisms so often directed at our city-centre buildings.

Cast your eyes a little further afield or better still take a walk up Great Horton Road and you'll see what I mean.

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford.