SIR - Emma Clayton's feature on the issue of Bradford's rail connections (T&A, August 4) merely repeated the ceaseless mutterings of the "Victorian Iron Horse Fanciers".

A recent survey confirmed that, outside London, only five per cent of business commuting is by rail: ie 95 per cent already understand the irrelevance of local railways in the 21st Century.

Even a doubling of rail commuting would only achieve ten per cent, and even that impossible aim is a lost cause in a mature society committed to freedom of travel. Another lost cause is the Bradford cross-rail link. Bradford has always been a cul-de-sac siding to two lines and will remain so as long as railways exist.

If Bradford really wants to beat its rival cities, it needs the vision and imagination to declare a 20-year strategy to become the most car-friendly city in Britain: easy, fast-flowing access roads, a complete and modern ring-road and acres of free parking wherever it is needed.

Yes, it will cost millions, but we can then sit back and watch the wealth-generating businesses roll in from Leeds, London and our other rivals as those cities belatedly realise the folly of their car-aggressive policies.

Graham Hoyle, Kirkbourne Grove, Baildon

SIR - A golden rule in politics is to not respond to ridiculous criticisms because you give them credence. I must break that rule because inaccuracies, if not challenged, can become perceived wisdom.

First of all - and briefly - Nick Caroll (Letters, August 5) believes that the Council's proposed bi-lingual policy will result in Urdu/Punjabi becoming compulsory languages in the Council, hospitals etc.

If Nick really believes this he is clearly off his trolley and I suspect a lost cause but I wish him a long and happy life. Enough said.

More importantly G Stevens states that schoolchildren will be encouraged to speak "Asian languages" as opposed to English. This is factually incorrect and a million miles from the purpose of the policy which centres on the pedagogic issue of how best to support children to achieve their full potential. This full potential cannot be achieved without proficiency in English.

Councillor David Ward, Clara Road, Bolton Villas, Bradford 2

SIR - After reading "Council appeals for more construction workers" (T&A, August 2), I couldn't help noticing that the list of workers fails to mention roofers. They have such an important and dangerous job and are out in all weathers including heavy wind and rain while working to deadlines.

To do this you need to be fully trained and there are few, if any, college courses or training schemes teaching this kind of work.

My uncle is a roofer and has been doing it for years but he cannot employ people straight from college. He has to train them from scratch which is expensive and time-consuming.

Part of the money should be spent on training people and getting them into good jobs.

Sarah Jakes, Dudley Street, Tyersal.

SIR - I wonder if Bradford Council have now realised why the city needs a rail link across the city centre and a single station! Bradford is at the end of two slowly decaying branch lines. As these lines slowly lose their services it could be that in a few years Bradford could lose its railways altogether.

As an alternative, consider what a cross-city rail link could do.

The Trans-Pennine and Manchester Airport trains could be routed via Shipley and Bradford.

The Carlisle, and possibly Glasgow, service could go via Pudsey and Bradford, and it is even possible that a new Leeds, Bradford and Lancaster service could be used to bring the Morecambe line back to life!

To do this Bradford needs to get off its bottom and work for a cross-rail link rather than simply replacing the existing dated retail sales sheds with more of the same.

David Kay, Southlands Avenue, Bingley.

SIR - I am very pleased to see a proper debate at last about the necessity of a cross-city rail link. Bradford has for too long languished at the end of two dead-end railway lines and one dead-end motorway.

Bradford Council missed two excellent opportunities to encourage the provision of a cross-city service for the people of the Bradford district at the end of the last century. The first, when the Interchange was built in the early 1970's and the second in the 1980s when British Rail finally lifted the Wortley Curve which used to allow for a direct service from Bradford to London.

If they miss this opportunity which the re-development of the Broadway/Petergate area will provide, they should be ashamed of themselves. Give us the missing link!

Graham Sheard, Whetley Grove, Girlington

SIR - For the last three weekends in a row there have been motorcycles (trail bikes) roaring about the paths on Baildon Moors to the detriment of the walkers, horse riders, sheep and wildlife.

Just when is the Council going to take steps to prevent this from happening? Next we will have all the four-wheel-drive owners exercising their rights of access to these tracks if nothing is done to stop this abuse.

Michael T Leahy, Rowantree Avenue, Baildon.

SIR - Why was I not surprised to note from a sentence at the end of your report of July 30 on a robbery in Idle that a robbery the same day in Thornbury was committed by "two Asian men dressed in traditional Asian women's clothes" - presumably yashmaks and burkhas?

I have been expecting some crime like this ever since the younger generation of Mirpuris decided to adopt this demeaning garb.

Ian R McDougall, Hawkswood Avenue, Heaton.

SIR - The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a registered charity whose aim is the integration of able-bodied and physically disabled people through sailing a tall ship together. We have two specially-designed tall ships, the Lord Nelson and Tenacious, which enable people of all physical abilities aged 16 to 70-plus to sail as part of the voyage crew on as near equal terms as possible.

I should like to encourage people from West Yorkshire to come on a voyage as part of the voyage crew. The trust has recently received a donation which is to be used to help towards the voyage costs for young people (aged 16 to 25) from the county. We would like to hear from them and anyone aged 16 to 70-plus who would be interested in sailing with us.

During the winter the Lord Nelson will be sailing in the Canaries and Tenacious will be in the Caribbean and most voyages are for a week.

Further details about the trust can be found on our website www.jst.org.uk or tel 02380-449139.

Liz Williams, Jubilee Sailing Trust, Hazel Road, Woolston, Southampton SO19 7GB

SIR - On Monday/Tuesday, July 28/29, my house was burgled. One of the items taken was my diary. I would like to appeal to whoever took it or may have found it to return it to me via you.

My address is not inside but on the black cover is a gold block which contains my name.

This item contains some important information, at least to me. I sincerely thank in advance those who might help in this matter.

Joe Petty, 61 Markfield Avenue, Low Moor, Bradford BD12 0UL.

SIR - There are suggestions that some off-peak trains should be replaced by buses. Where are the bus companies to get the extra drivers from? They seem so desperate there are job adverts for drivers almost weekly.

The rail regulator should wake up to the fact that you do not gut train services just to save money.

David Reyland, Hawkshead Walk, Bradford.

SIR - In reply to Councillor Walker's letter about a vehicle being registered to a disabled person, why not have the disabled logo on the registration plates? In the case of enforcement, the logo can be seen from the front or rear of the vehicle.

Under the new laws, registration plates can only be made by producing certain documentation to enable these plates to be purchased. The documents plus the existing permit would be an easy answer. It would also put a stop on the misuse of permits.

Philip Hartley, Tunwell Lane, Eccleshill.

SIR - How pleased I was with the array of market-style stalls on Darley Street. This must be a way to revitalise the city centre.

I think we should make it a permanent feature. This fairly steep incline gives it a character of its own.

The location in Darley Street is quite out-of-the-ordinary as markets go, I think. So well done Bradford, especially the organisers and stall holders, for a great display.

Kenneth E Higgins, Bempton Court, Great Horton.