Letters to the Editor

Bradford does not have many examples of Art Deco-style 20th century architecture so those that exist are worth preserving. The 20th century is now history and we should be careful not to wantonly destroy our heritage.

The inter-war years are not well represented in Bradford.

The BT exchange at the bottom of Manchester Road is an example of a 1930s building which has recently had the facade cleaned and maintained. It looked drab before but now its striking white walls and blue-painted panels are impressive. The cinema building could look equally impressive if cleaned.

The three towers, one Alhambra and two cinema, are an imposing sight at the entrance to the West End and if the Odeon towers are retained should have no detrimental effect on the future commercial success of new development behind the facade.

The facade butts directly against the pavement, allowing the space behind to be used to its maximum.

Structurally the facade should be easy to retain.

Steve Rossiter, Park Drive, Heaton.

SIR - It will surely be unthinkable to most Bradfordians that the New Victoria building, lately the Odeon, should be demolished, but the negative reaction so far suggests this is already a lost cause, and ought to be a matter for some concern.

In April, John Pennington, the saviour of the Midland Hotel, would have been "sad to see it go"; now he doesn't like it and would like to see it pulled down. Peter McManus, of Leeds & London Holdings, said in August that the sale of the building was "good news for the city and the West End"; now he thinks it would be "fabulous" (!) that it could be pulled down.

Our esteemed First Citizen talks about "if it is to be replaced" and even the editor of the T&A thinks it would be "nice" to see something that "echoes the roof-line of the Odeon", as if there was anything else that could.

No support there then for a superb piece of historical architecture.

Bradford is already dying on its feet. Why wilfully destroy even more of it?

There is, however, an alternative: put it back as it was in 1968 - a cinema, theatre, concert hall, ballroom and restaurant all under one roof - a purpose-built, ready-made leisure centre.

Kenneth A Webster, Abb Scott Lane, Bradford 6.

SIR - Like many others in Burley-in-Wharfedale, I have a regular problem with flooding from the streams which come down from the moor. On three separate occasions this year I have had to stay up all night clearing and maintaining part of a Council-installed watercourse.

I've tried through a sequence of letters and numerous phone calls to contact the Council to get their help to improve the situation. However the Council have refused to take any responsibility, offering excuses such as "there was an exceptional amount of water", "it won't happen again" and "we don't have the budget to fund any such work."

Surely this is a clear example of a Council neglecting its responsibilities and putting its head in the sand. As the last few days have shown, it is crucial to sort out known flooding problems before they happen. The cost of repairs and clearing them up afterwards will often outweigh the expense of preventing them.

So come on Bradford Council, face up to your responsibilities and put in place adequate flooding protection for Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Phil Berry, Sun Lane, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Ilkley.

SIR - Re our local MP's letter on adopted roads (Nov 6).

I am sure the hung council of which Margaret Eaton is the leader have more pressing problems to deal with than the said roads. Her time should be, and I feel is, taken up rectifying the faults of previous administration at City Hall.

If Chris Leslie (pictured) can't help, he shouldn't hinder. Perhaps he would perform better if he changed his script writer.

Stephen Walsh, Church Street, Bingley.

SIR - Why are the traffic lights outside the Little Chef and the exit from the M62 not working at certain times of the day, mostly in the morning?

We travel that way quite often and I'm sure that an accident will happen one day. It is always busy in this area. I just cannot understand why the traffic lights are not in continual use.

J Hobson, Enfield Walk, Wibsey.

SIR - We are informed extra police patrols were in action on Bonfire Night. Why are these patrols not in action every night to fight the rising crime in Bradford? Or do these extra personnel go back into a box till next year?

Andrew Bairstow, Ravenscliffe Avenue, Bradford 10.

SIR - Nightly reports in the T&A would suggest that at least 1,000 cars are wantonly set alight and destroyed every year in our once-fair city.

Ironically, it would appear that these totally irresponsible acts are generally confined to certain areas, except that during last weekend Cottingley was ruthlessly targeted, when £50,000-worth of damage was wrought by these mindless vandals.

I am at one with John Pennington when he asks what is to be done about this disgusting and heartbreaking state of affairs?

Furthermore, the same criminal element ride around without car licence or insurance, putting the innocent law-abiding citizen on a hiding to nothing, should they be involved in an accident.

How much longer do we have to wait for adequate police and court protection, or are we to remain a nation where anarchy and do-gooders take precedence over fairness, logic and unadulterated common sense?

Winston White, Staybrite Avenue, Cottingley.

SIR - I would like to thank, through your newspaper, the Post Office for their ingenuity.

I have received a letter from relatives in America. The letter went to my friend's house nearby, but the incredible thing is that the envelope was addressed: Charnwood Road, England BD2.

How on earth did they find me? Incredible!

Thanks, Post Office.

D Newsham, Charnwood Close, Bradford

SIR - Thank you, Councillor Margaret Eaton, for allocating the use of facilities for the elderly in City Hall. Thank you also to the editor of the Telegraph & Argus for publishing my previous letter highlighting the need.

Dennis Rhodes, Allerton Road, Bradford 15.