Letters to the Editor

SIR - While we are grateful for any help from whatever source, contrary to Mr Enoch's letter (T&A, November 20) it has never been the policy of the National Pensioners Convention to try and obtain bases for local organisations.

There are already at least three groups representing upwards of 1,000 members with their own bases or premises within the city and all affiliated to the NPC and the Yorkshire & Humber Pensioners Convention.

While we have campaigned on a number of issues like the right to care and free transport, our main policy has always been to secure a substantial increase in the basic state pension without means testing and restoration of the link with earnings.

I agree with Mr Enoch on one point - solidarity should be the objective. So how about it, Forum Focused on Pensioner Power and The Retired Peoples Action Group? Affiliate to the YHPC (the regional body of the NPC) now and start singing from the same hymn sheet. Only by uniting under one banner will pensioners ever achieve their objectives.

Peter Meer (chair, Yorkshire & Humber Pensioners Convention), Bramham Road, Bingley.

Danger crossing

SIR - Regarding the lack of a pelican crossing at Four Lane Ends (Letters, November 22), the junction has long been very difficult for pedestrians to cross. Moving the traffic lights back certainly has not helped and cars come through at red, making pedestrians run for their lives.

We have written to the Department of Transport, Design and Planning on numerous occasions. The reasons given for not having a green man crossing were that it could result in Morrisons car park being blocked and cause extensive queuing along other arms of the junction, possibly introducing road safety problems in other areas.

So people living in Four Lane Ends can keep running the gauntlet as long as Morrisons car park is not blocked along with other roads.

Maybe we could all hibernate during the day and go out after midnight to do our shopping.

Mrs N Dyson, Rosetta Drive, Four Lane Ends.

One law for us...

SIR - Our road and Thornton Road have not been cleared of leaves on the pavement, but driving around Toller Lane and Duckworth Lane what do I see but little magic machines picking all the leaves up.

Is it because the residents of our roads make an attempt to clean up our leaves but the posh houses are not up to clearing their paths themselves? We all pay council tax, but I suppose there is one rule for one and one rule for another.

Mrs Pat Hirst, Charteris Road, Fairweather Green.

Vatican ostrich

SIR - Simon Dixon (Letters, November 20) is upset that I singled out the present Pope for criticism in my opposition to the Catholic Church.

This is simply because Karel Wojtyla is currently in the driving seat of this male-dominated gerontocracy.

I am perfectly happy to level my criticisms at every pontiff since my namesake, if that helps! But I am less happy when Mr Dixon writes that the beliefs of the early church "cannot ever be changed".

The first century, however, did not have to contend with the problems of overpopulation, unsafe sex or the spread of Aids.

Sadly, 21st century societies cannot escape these issues, but the Vatican has nothing to offer except the fabled response of the ostrich.

Peter Wilson, Thornhill Grove, Calverley.

Quite right...

SIR - N Brown says thousands are dying in Africa because they are forbidden to use condoms (Letters, November 21). As a practising Catholic I agree completely with your correspondent.

Bernard Crowe, Royds Hall Avenue, Bradford.

Why no action?

SIR - In 1999 I wrote to Terry Rooney, our MP for the Undercliffe area, regarding the dangerous junction at Killinghall Road.

He wrote several letters to the Council which promised the earth, but nothing has been done.

What happened? We lost a lovely lady, a mother and friend to many people. The T&A published a good report and also pointed out how dangerous the junction was, but even that all fell on deaf ears.

The other day I saw another lady trying to cross this road, but being lame she found it impossible without help.

How long has this to go on before this council listens to the people?

Mrs B J Rudd, Roger Court, Undercliffe.

Rail link queries

SIR - As Chairman of Bradford Rail Users Group may I respond to Bradford's Transportation Design and Planning Director (Letters, November 24).

BRUG met an assistant to the director and an officer from METRO on November 21, 2002, and on February 27, 2003, and answered with hard facts many of the questions he raised.

Regarding the public inquiries planning policy guidance 13 was not mentioned in the reports regarding protecting a corridor for future enhancement of the railway network. Can the director explain why demolished properties will be subject to unjustified disruption?

BRUG is not aware of a noise problem caused by the railway between Leeds City Station and the Parish Church. Visual intrusion is up to the designers/planners.

If Bradford Cross Rail is not a better transport link, what is? It would improve local, regional and national transport links - a key aim of Bradford 2020 Vision according to the directors.

Regarding funding, may I ask if Yorkshire Forward has been approached? The Bingley Bypass is a far bigger civil engineering project than Cross Rail.

C V Barton (Chairman, Bradford Rail Users Group), Hasley Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Write to the MP

SIR - Bradford Rail Users Group asks everyone in favour of a cross-city rail link to write to Bradford West MP Marsha Singh (pictured), who we met recently, about the proposed route being within his constituency. His address is House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.

The proposed redevelopment of Bradford is an opportune moment to include plans for a rail link and to protect an alignment between the two existing stations. Unfortunately, Bradford Council has shown an unenlightened attitude and needs to be persuaded otherwise.

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

Other outlets

SIR - The opening two lines of your DIY column (Weekender, November 22) read: "Choosing a light bulb is simple. You add it to your shopping list to buy at the supermarket."

This gives the impression that the supermarket is the only place to buy light bulbs. This does a disservice to independent retailers of light bulbs who carry a far greater range than the supermarkets.

While the supermarkets have a role to play in the market place they will only sell the mainstream products and not the more unusual, slower-selling items.

If consumers are led to believe that the supermarket is the only place to go and the corner shop therefore closes down, they will either not be able to buy the product they want or have to pay higher prices due to the lack of competition.

P A Lightbody, Allerton Road, Allerton.

Route mystery

SIR - Can anyone tell me which way is it (by road) to get to Morrisons supermarket today? Every day is a different route and by the time you get into the lane you were directed to yesterday it has changed. I know the new road system will be fab when it's finished, but please signpost it and finish one side first.

Shirley Walker, Little Horton Lane, Bradford.

Don't be late

SIR - I don't see what the big fuss is about the car park in Haworth (T&A, November 22).

It's simple: if you don't want to get clamped, don't be late back.

Paul Fixter, Croxall Drive, Stanley, Wakefield.