Sir, - I wonder why it is that some people who are against an Ilkley bypass, have to resort to insults about people who live alongside the A65. The gratuitous remarks about us buying 'cheap houses' tells us more about the writers than they perhaps intended.

It is obvious that they think themselves richer, wiser and more sensible than we lesser mortals, and want the world to know they are.

I actually live in apartments in a grand Victorian property with magnificent open views to North and South. I will not demean myself or my neighbours by hinting at monetary values, sufficient to say, we are all happy with our lot, apart from the traffic.

If such people want to promulgate their views against a bypass, would they please do so in a civil manner, or shut up. Some of the serfs down here are becoming very angry at ill informed comments from people who, if they were as wise and sensible as they think they are, would think before putting pen to paper.

Victor M Bean

112 Skipton Road

Ilkley

Provocative letter

SIR, - Now the red mist has settled regarding my allegedly cheap house, could I congratulate the Gazette for publishing Judith Thompson's provocative letter.

Perhaps with her and your correspondent from Parish Ghyll Drive looking down, the valley plebs may be stirred into further debate. Of course, if those living in the high places walked occasionally, Ilkley's traffic problems might be greatly reduced.

I do agree that those who move next to something - motorway, airport, farm - should not complain about the noise, smells and mayhem that they subsequently discover there. However, unlike the transient groups that now seem to inhabit Ilkley, some may have been born here, or lived here for a very long time, and seen the traffic volumes escalate and maybe, just maybe, bought their house prior to that escalation.

Despite this, I am against a bypass as I do not wish further erosion of our countryside, noise pollution of the valley, in-fill building or sodium lights marching across the horizon. That said, I find it strange that a new valley road was deemed necessary in 1934 and yet 56 years later we are still talking about it.

Finally, to those people who move to a cheap house in a small northern community to escape the rat race, they shouldn't complain if they find a major road built at the bottom of their garden to relieve traffic pressures brought about by people moving to that community.

MR M RAYNER

Four Firs,

267 Leeds Road,

Ilkley.

Poor behaviour

SIR, - Speaking on behalf of one of this village's families (we still call it 'the village') who have been here 'yonks', we know how to behave, never outspoken (except now), never stepping out of place. There is a sense of decorum in Ilkley that most newcomers to the town understand, appreciate and respect. And thus, out of generosity, conform to.

But these snobby newcomers, up on t'hill (Curly Hill) don't seem to know their place, coming from different parts of the country, with different standards of behaviour and habits, proclaim to us long standing (in the background residents), in loud voices, how we should live our lives. You don't have to shout in Ilkley, you won't be heard.

I resent the way in which Victor Bean gets pilloried in the Press for his genuine views. I do admit that he has time on his hands now that he is retired and, if you do write numerous letters to the Press, you do invite comment.

But Victor is a gentleman and his views should be respected. He has a record to be proud of for his service in the armed forces during the 1939-45 war, he was highly commended in the police force, and then became a very highly respected member of the staff of Ilkley's leading estate agent, Dacre, Son and Hartley. Retired, he has an invalid wife to look after, and he is very well liked and appreciated by all of the old-time Ilkley residents.

You can't throw your weight about in Ilkley, those brash new firms that keep springing up, don't last more than a few minutes. Respect and old values mean more in Ilkley than anything else.

So let's get back to the issue that has brought up the whole thing, the Ilkley bypass. At the last referendum, more than 75 per cent of the people voted for a bypass, so who are these few people who are distorting the issue by promoting false facts. They can't be Ilkley people, with the true Ilkley background, can they?

Every town in the district has a bypass, Otley has a bypass, Keighley has a bypass, Harrogate has a bypass, Skipton has a bypass, even Addingham and Burley have a bypass, so why not Ilkley? On certain days, particularly on sunny weekends or Bank Holidays, queues of cars can be seen stretching back several miles, for several hours at a time, either up and beyond the Addingham or Burley bypass depending on whether they are coming or going.

If you are walking it can take you at least half an hour to cross Skipton Road at the junction with Easby Drive at busy times, then you take your life in your hands. Driving from Skipton Road through Ilkley to the Leeds Road end can take you an hour and a half due to the intensity of the traffic. With five sets of lights to get through, it is quicker to get through the centre of Leeds.

I know that I will get a lot of response to this letter, but I won't reply. Ilkley is split in two at the moment and it needs to be a whole. Anyone not seeing that is not worth replying to. I rest my case.

JOHN BEANLAND

Eagles' Rest,

The Drive,

Ben Rhydding.

Hurt by letter

SIR, - It is now clear that there will be no bypass for Ilkley in the near future and I appreciate all the difficulties of finding a suitable route for one, but I would like to say how hurt and offended I was by Mrs Judith Thompson's letter in the Ilkley Gazette recently.

I should like her to know that my home on Leeds Road is my 'castle' as much as if it were on the edges of Ilkley Moor or on the fringes of Middleton Woods. It has been my very happy family home for more than 48 years.

Nearly half a century ago it was impossible to predict accurately the growth in traffic, especially the trend towards one person per car and the decline in public transport, not to mention Dr Beeching's massacre of the railways and the resulting transfer of freight to the roads.

My family does not 'whinge' and we like living here, but we wish we could cross the road to the shops, schools and the recreation ground in safety and sit in our garden in peace.

David Hanson

125 Leeds Road,

Ilkley.

Good value

SIR, - As the Press Officer and Secretary for the Tourist Management Committee I feel I must respond to recent articles in your newspaper of July 20.

The Ilkley Accommodation list is produced by the Ilkley Tourist Centre. Since January 2000, all accommodation promoted by Bradford Council has to be inspected according to the joint grading scheme operated by the English Tourism Council, the AA and the RAC. Inspectors look at quality, service, food standards and range of facilities.

'Hotels' are awarded one to five stars, 'Guest Accommodations' (a new category which includes B and B) are awarded one to five diamonds.

There is no charge for entry on the list, but the ETC, AA and RAC charge for the inspection. In 1999, the list contained eight hotels and 11 B and Bs in Ilkley. In 2000, it contains five hotels and 12 'Guest Accommodations'. Three of the 1999 hotels decided to be classed as 'Guest Accommodation'; two B and Bs decided not to join the scheme because of the inspection fee.

Ilkley College and Highfield House, which were classed as 'Group Accommodation' both closed and, unfortunately, there is nothing locally to replace them.

Currently, hotel prices range from £38 to £67.50, B and B, for a single room, £50 to £85 for two people in a double/twin room. 'Guest Accommodation' ranges from £17 to £45 B and B for a single room and £34 to £64 for two people in a double/twin room.

As you will see from the above, the range of prices for B and B start as low as £17 and the price of £80 quoted in your paper is both wrong and misleading to visitors who may be considering a stay in this lovely town.

MRS M E BAILEY

Secretary and Press Officer,

Town Hall,

Station Road,

Ilkley.

Realities of euro

SIR, - it is with regret that I read that your correspondent, Mr Bruin, from The Netherlands, feels he will be unable to share with us the delights of the Yorkshire Dales in future years.

However, it is equally regrettable that Mr Bruin makes the leap in logic to assume that membership of the euro would alone make his holidays to the lovely Dales affordable once more.

Mr Bruin would find himself able to enjoy his Dales holidays under the UK euro only if we were to join the euro at an exchange rate considerable below today's vastly inflated value of the pound. Or, should I say, a rate that did not reflect the inherent weakness of Mr Bruin's much-loved euro. Otherwise, I fear that our cups of coffee priced in euros would be equally beyond Mr Bruin's grasp. As would our petrol.

Should any of your readers feel that membership of the euro would achieve anything worthwhile, may I add a couple of comments? Monetary union cannot be achieved without full economic and political union. Not my views, but those of the political leaders of France, Germany and italy.

If any of your readers cannot quite grasp what the realities of full European political union would bring, may I also speculate for them? We have a Governor of the Bank of England who feels that job losses in the North are a price worth paying to keep inflation under control in the hothouse that is the South-East.

Would anyone in Ilkley consider an interest rate or fiscal policies set by Brussels that meant Ilkley residents would lose their jobs, or pay inflated rates for their mortgages a price worth paying to protect the economy in Germany? Or France? Or Italy?

Over the years, I have read the comments of your readers who feel remote and victimised by our councillors in Bradford. May I request that when your readers cast their votes in next year's General Election that they bear these issues in mind.

Adoption of the euro means loss of sovereignty - not merely the price of cups of coffee or litres of petrol (not to mention gallons). The next General Election is arguably the most important in the history of our democracy.

If any of your readers has any ideas as to how we may keep Mr Bruin and other friends in mainland Europe returning to the Dales for their holidays, please write. Not just to your valued pages but to your MP.

A J ARMSTRONG

Moorside Lodge,

Panorama Drive,

Ilkley.

l The editor reserves the right to amend or shorten letters for legal or space reasons