Letters To The Editor

SIR, - Just over two weeks ago a motor cyclist travelling at around 70mph in a 30mph restricted area collided with a car in which my niece was travelling.

As a result of that accident she was critically injured. For several days her life hung in the balance and we do not yet know the extent of any permanent or psychological injuries.

Like many other people who have suffered road-related death or injury within their families, I find Councillor Martin Smith's ill-informed attacks on the Ilkley Campaign Against Speed protests deeply offensive.

His comments and those of the unnamed residents on the alleged danger of the protests would be laughable if the full implications of their blinkered opposition to what is a responsible and well thought out campaign were not so serious.

I happened to witness what actually happened on Grove Road on the morning of the demonstration, and the overwhelming majority of drivers - including at least two taxi drivers - responded by checking their speeds.

There has been a noticeable improvement in driving standards in our part of Ilkley over the last week, with the inevitable exception of a small but selfish majority of drivers whose irresponsible behaviour, especially late evening, is a constant threat to themselves and others.

As your excellent editorial and other news items elsewhere make clear, Coun Smith's maverick and regressive views do not represent those either of Bradford Council nor of West Yorkshire Police as the number of traffic accidents in West Yorkshire soars to record levels, a huge cost to our communities.

To put the situation into context, last year more people died in the UK in road traffic accidents than died in New York on September 11.

More children are killed and injured in Britain than in any other country in Europe. As Department of Transport research demonstrates, it is speed, and in particular, criminal ignoring of speed limits in urban areas, that is the main cause of such accidents.

This is a shameful situation, and if the ICAS campaign to curb law breaking drivers prevents just one person suffering what my niece and her family are now suffering, that effort will have been worthwhile.

Colin Speakman

67 Grove Road,

Ilkley.

Criticism unfair

SIR, - It seems a little unfair to suggest, as reported in last week's Gazette, that by holding placards for one hour each month, members of ICAS constitute a greater danger to the public than thousands of vehicles each day, travelling through the town at speeds in excess of the maximum speed limit of 30mph.

To suggest that car drivers do not speed flies in the face of the evidence . In the last survey conducted on Bolling Road (the only road for which we have figures), in one week 22,971 vehicles of all descriptions were found to have exceeded the speed limit.

We are accused by 'a concerned Ilkley resident' of wasting police time. Although the police have been informed, they have never found it necessary to attend, nor have they been called to, any of our demonstrations.

However, the fact that there have already been 87 road deaths in this region this year, mostly caused by speeding, indicates that any time spent on road safety is not wasted.

We have one of the worst road safety records in the country and three further accidents were reported in the Gazette last week.

In answer to Coun Smith's suggestion that we distribute leaflets, this has already been done, along with an ICAS newsletter.

BARBARA DAVY

Ilkley Community

Against Speeding,

Ilkley.

Speeding issue

SIR, - Councillor Martin Smith (Ilkley Gazette, October 3) is of the opinion that drivers of private cars do not exceed the speed limit in our town.

This is at variance with the findings of the Faber Maunsell study commissioned by Bradford Metropolitan Council; Faber Maunsell speak of 'excessive speeds on most routes in the town, and in particular Bolling Road, Valley Drive and the A65...' and do not single out any particular class of driver as being more at fault than others.

The Faber Maunsell findings corroborate my own experience, having lived on Bolling Road for more than 36 years.

It is increasingly used for 'rat running' (Faber Maunsell's term) by drivers avoiding the A65 and these drivers show little consideration for local residents or school children.

As for creating a traffic hazard by displaying ICAS's 30mph boards, last week's protesters were putting themselves at risk by standing on the pavement near Ben Rhydding Primary School, where there has been a large number of accidents over the years.

A driver who is startled or distracted by a road sign should not be driving.

Mrs J D Bosworth

94 Bolling Road,

Ilkley.

No distraction

SIR, - So, 30mph signs are a distraction for drivers!

A vicar I know well says that

advertisements with beautiful, naked women on them are much more

distracting. He says he has nearly driven into the back of a car gazing at

THEM, but never been so diverted by placards proclaiming the speed limit.

I am worried about his mental state, of course, but more worried by the few who object to 30mph signs!

Rosie Tudge

The Vicarage,

Curly Hill,

Ilkley.

NIMBYness

SIR, - I read the Gazette with interest every week but I despair sometimes at the parochial NIMBYness that it reports. In the article on the ICAS campaign if the 'concerned Ilkley resident' wants to voice such strong views, he/she should have the guts to give their name. Perhaps he/she would like to come up with an alternative to draw attention to to the very real speeding problem in Ilkley and get people to slow down.

All this is on page 3 and there on page 12 is another campaign about speeding by West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership which highlights the rising number of casualties due to speeding.

They are doing exactly what Councillor Smith would like, producing leaflets, etc. The beauty of the ICAS campaign is that they have thought up a novel way to grab people's attention rather than just handing out a leaflet that people throw away and forget about as soon as they've read it.

I would like to add my support to On another subject, the letter written by 'Spinster, 76' (what a shame she feels unable to give her name, too) as she highlights the NIMBY attitudes of Ilkley.

I sympathise with Margaret Clark for her un-nerving experience in Otley with skateboarders, but if Ilkley had a skate park the youngsters wouldn't need to hang about in the central car park would they?

Like Ken Cooke I would happily sign a petition to get the park sited in Riverside Gardens. Are youngsters really going to go as far out of town as East Holmes playing field when there are no facilities nearby - you bet they're not. Then the local councillors will wonder why residents complain about money being spent on a facility that isn't used and becomes rundown.

Marian Callender

8 Westwood Rise,

Ilkley.

No rethink here

SIR, - I read the letters in the Gazette on September 26 and did not re-think my opinion.

Harry banging on again in support of his gardening mate and the Community Council, then a couple of short pieces from two residents of Booth Street recognising the achievements of parish councillors including myself and their close neighbour, John Sumner (son of head gardener Tom) for our efforts on the village green (thank you).

Mrs Hargrave's comments I have noted, but until I see genuine support for Burley's own parish council I am unchanged.

The non-optional 'Yes only' leaflet was far from convincing, when you consider the 'yes' votes were collected in some cases by returning to the homes and asking for them. Even with that extraordinary effort only 37 per cent were prepared to offer their support.

Then we have from ex-parish councillor Caroline Jones, a most splendid piece written with such passion for a Burley Parish Council (well done).

It seems she has forgotten her heroic fight to get re-elected to the Ilkley Parish Council just over three years ago when the Burley electorate favoured a change, but unwilling to give up her political ambitions she joined the self-elected Community Council.

If, and I mean if, the Burley residents choose to have their own parish council nothing guarantees any of the existing, non-elected members of the Community Council seats on it.

Food for thought!

Coun CHRIS HALEY

Scalebor Park Farm,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Village capable

SIR, - Burley Community Council has been a remarkable success for as long as I can remember.

Any suggestion that the people of Burley would be unable to manage their own affairs through a Burley Parish Council just does not make sense to anyone who is aware of the Community Council's achievements.

Regardless of the commitment and dedication shown by Burley's representatives on Ikley Parish Council, the Ilkley council cannot represent the distinct community of Burley as well as a more local council could.

Burley Community Council should not be criticised for getting 37 per cent of Burley's residents to support their petition - this is as many people as turn out in local elections in the ward, and to see so many people all in support of this plan clearly shows the strength of local feeling- and also, I believe, the strength of the local community fostered by the Community Council over the last 25 years.

This sense of community, responsibility and achievement is something we would do well to build on.

would wholeheartedly support a move to form a Burley Parish Council, which would help build on local successes such as the village green and planned Queens Hall redevelopment, and help give the community the strong local voice and direction it deserves.

I myself have not yet signed the petition, but I will be delighted to do so at the next opportunity. The Community Council deserves our every support.

Matt Palmer

Chairman,

Burley Conservatives,

94 Station Road,

Burley in Wharfedale.