SIR - While I support the promotion of public transport from all environmental perspective, as a regular user of the 680 service, I can appreciate why only those with no alternative would "choose" to travel in this way.

On November 2, I waited at the Petergate stop for the 5.30 bus to Heaton. I was still waiting almost an hour later - three buses had failed to show. I was fortunately able to arrange a lift, using my mobile phone. The alternative was a taxi, which at almost £5 is obscene compared with a 90 pence fare, or to wait for the next bus - the 7.15!

A couple of weeks ago, an inspector monitored the times the buses left Petergate with some success, but they have deteriorated again. It is a very common sight to see two, or even three, 680s following each other through the village.

On Monday, I was late for work when the 12.20 city centre bus was ten minutes early and I missed it.

The non-drivers of Heaton are held to ransom by this "service". Many people cannot afford taxis and not everyone carries a mobile phone. Unfortunately, a great deal more will have to be done to encourage people to see public transport as a reliable alternative to the car.

J M Ives, Leylands Terrace, Heaton, Bradford.

SIR - In reply to the letter ("A stressful job") on November 7, Mrs M Cook is not answering the main questions I asked in my letter, ie why are children always on holiday and do children in other countries get as much time on holiday?

As for swapping jobs, I would do, but I am a retired 65-year-old.

I was an engineer all my life and the wages were nothing like teachers get, but we also had plenty of stress!

As for doing the job, I am grammar school-educated and probably would have made quite a good teacher and would not have whined as much as some of the teaching profession seem to do.

Michael Breen, Bolton Hall Road, Wrose.

SIR - Further to Mrs Reynolds's letter of November 6 re the captain of the liner Queen Mary. This was Sir Edgar Britten, who was born in Rand Street, Little Horton, on April 27, 1874. He also commanded several other famous liners including the Mauretania.

Derek Mozley, Moorhead Terrace, Shipley.

l EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank you to Mr Mozley and other correspondents who provided information. This has been sent to Mrs Reynolds.

SIR - Re Chris Leslie MP's suggestion that the Council's proposal to abandon its unadopted roads programme is a "kick in the teeth" for the people of Bradford.

The Council's annual budget for the making of unadopted roads is some £106,000, a legacy of the former Labour administration of which he was part. This is set against an estimated requirement of £30m to upgrade all the unmade roads in Bradford to an adoptable standard.

The Council has continually lobbied Central Government for additional funds to tackle the problem. The Government's final response from the former Labour Transport Minister Glenda Jackson was that "it would be inequitable - and invidious - if authorities were obliged to adopt private streets at public expense. This would mean that some Council taxpayers who might have paid their own road-making costs, would be required to meet the costs of others as well."

If people feel aggrieved by the Council's recent actions, rather than writing to the Council, as suggested, they would be better advised to lobby their local MP expressing concern at Central Government's stance on such matters and seeking his assistance to ensure proper funding is made available.

Councillor Margaret Eaton, Leader of the Council, City Hall, Bradford.

SIR - In reply to the letter by Mrs Donague re Shipley Market (November 6). The large firms she mentions that have left Shipley will not be tempted back by 24 potential parking spaces. She needs to look at the ever-growing number of shopping malls which are attracting large retail outlets to relocate.

The public's purse is finite and unfortunately their money can only be spent once.

To answer this problem by moving a successful market, which generates some 300,000 shopping visits a year, does not make any sense.

The present plan to move the market at a cost of £100,000, which has been rejected by the market traders and thousands of customers, is now being taken around the neighbourhood forums by the town marketing manager Bob Parker.

The neighbourhood forums are an excellent idea but I do not believe their role was meant to be that of deciding the future of a number of highly-successful retail enterprises. Would the retail outlets around the square, and the indoor market, be happy if their future was being decided in this manner?

Councillors Carroll and Herdson have said that the plan will not go ahead if there is a lot of public objection. A petition now has more than 2,000 signatures. How much objection do they require?

Mrs Kath Fisher, Ings Lane, Guiseley.

SIR - I write with grateful thanks for the wonderful spread your newspaper carried informing the people of this district of the opening of our new Small Animal Hospital here at the Animal Centre.

I would like to thank everyone concerned for their sterling effort and thank you and your staff for the continued support you give to this branch and animal welfare issues.

Mrs M Blundell, General Manager, RSPCA Bradford branch, Mount Street, Bradford 3.

SIR - I'm trying to trace a dear friend of mine called Richard Briggs, formerly of Leylands Terrace, Bradford. We were studying languages together at Wolverhampton Poly from 1987 - 1991 and the last time we corresponded he was living in Germany.

We have a Poly reunion next year and I'm desperately trying to contact him. Can any of your kind readers help?

Helen Harrison (nee McCarthy), 41 Portland Street, Leek, Staffs ST13 6LA (e-mail: hharrison@rmplc.co.uk).

SIR - Can anyone explain why one female newsreader can read the important national news for half-an-hour and yet money can be wasted in using two people on Look North to talk for 25 minutes on less important matters?

Using one person would save money and provide a better performance.

J R Crowley, Princeville Street, Bradford 7.