Park and ride scheme is parking worry solution

She is quite right in identifying the lack of a coherent approach to this problem that has rumbled on for at least two years. I and my neighbours have a vested interest, of course, in that we don't want our street cluttered up all day with commuters’ cars but equally we don’t want to see the problem exported to the next street by draconian and ill-thought-out rules. Newfield Drive and Park Road watch out!.

What is needed is a proper park and ride scheme. There is plenty of spare land on the old High Royds Hospital site bordering Bingley Lane and even an existing under-utilised bus service currently running from the site. Bradford MDC need to get a grip of the issue and propose a solution that solves the problem and does not merely paper over the cracks. Have they heard of “integrated transport policy”?

Whatever happens, we will not stop commuters wishing to use the excellent rail service into Leeds and Bradford and we should be supporting their efforts to keep their car journeys to a minimum by making it easier for them to do so.

Incidentally it is interesting to note that Bradford MDC also intend to enforce the new restrictions against tradesmen and other bona fide visitors and when questioned about a possible permit scheme their suggestion was that tradesmen would have to start after 10.30am. I think any builder who has to learn a living would smile at that little gem!

Phil Bland

Brooklands Lane, Menston, Ilkley

Loss of the museum would be a heart-breaking insult

Following our retirement as Hon Keepers of Otley Museum we have kept our counsel as Leeds and Otley Councils – plus their consultants – have expressed their ever-changing positions on the future of Otley Civic Centre.

During our nearly 30 years as collectors, conservers and interpreters of this unique collection, we have carefully considered at least 15 privatised museum proposals, none of which began to clear the first hurdles of adequate finance, running costs or secure Otley property. Otley Urban District, Leeds and the Town Council’s provision of public premises for the last 47 years has proved the only realistic basis for the museum’s survival and success.

Suggested new premises at the Manor House & Stables, old Grammar School, old Library, Otley Mills, Walkers’ Printing Works, Vickers’ Machine Works, Barkers’ Tannery, Wharfemeadows, Otley Chevin and Weston Waters all called for a massive capital outlay which, understandably, never materialised from any source – be it the Paul Getty Foundation, the EEC, private individuals or public authorities.

In the light of this proven reality, would it be too much to ask the proponents of the present schemes to pause and carefully consider the effect they are now having on the museum and its talented volunteers? Whatever vision may be seen on the far horizon, if they carry on with yet more unrealistic proposals there will be no public collection or dedicated volunteers to run it.

That would be a heart-breaking insult to the hundreds of local people who have donated items for the collection, and to the memory of the thousands of families whose lives are recorded in the museum’s objects and archives. This museum is the Otley story from the prehistoric period – not some temporary, disposable commodity.

Paul Wood and Christine Dean

Garnett Street, Otley

Missed opportunity to establish a printing museum

I have followed with interest your articles regarding a printing museum becoming a viable proposition for Otley. My late husband was general manager of the newspapers at the time it moved premises from the printer on Kirkgate to Boroughgate, Otley.

At that time he made suggestions to various local organisations that it would be beneficial to Otley to retain part of the premises as a printing museum.

Unfortunately, at that time there seemed to be no interest and most of the old equipment was disposed of, although I think some did go to Otley museum.

My husband was very upset at the time as he, too, thought it would have been an educational facility for local schoolchildren and also a visitor attraction.

Elise Brumfitt (Letters, June 18) also mentions the Kirkgate premises of William Walker & Sons. As you may know, Mrs Brumfitt has published books about the history of Otley and district and her views are in complete agreement with my late husband’s.

William Walker & Sons published local newspapers but was also at one time the largest general printer in the area and, of course, used locally manufactured machinery.

The premises were connected with the Emmerdale Farm TV series at the time. The character Amos Brearley wrote articles for the imaginary Hotton Courier and links with the popular series would possibly have been of interest to fans of the programme. The farm and Esholt village where filming took place, also being quite local.

My late husband was a member of the Otley Show committee at that time and persuaded Emmerdale actor Fraser Hines to appear at the show. He, of course played the role of one of the Sugdens in the programme. It is a pity it is deemed a non-starter and the town has lost out.

B H Cooke

Ashfield Lodge, Weston Lane, Otley

Burley Bridge would be an eyesore forever

Once again the Burley Bridge people try to convince us that a bridge will be such an asset to the area (Bridge campaigners press for more support, June 18), when in fact this proposed eyesore would be a disgrace for ever.

This is something they seem unconcerned about just so long as they get to the other side and in to Nidderdale, an area which is beautiful because it is left alone without large out-of-place structures.

If anyone needs convincing of the folly of building a bridge, then the outcry regarding the litter and mess left behind at the side of the river and bridge in Ilkley over the last bank holiday weekend is proof enough.

Disposable barbecues, drink cans and general detritus just dumped for someone else to clean up, while here in Burley there is livestock in the fields so the potential for a serious problem is enormous, not to mention the effects of discarded litter on our wildlife which is something I have to deal with on a regular basis.

Of course, after the barbecues and fires (all of which happened last weekend at the Burley bypass part of the river) people decide to swim and, fuelled by alcohol, the outcome is unthinkable.

Are the bridge lot so blinkered that they simply don’t care and want this bridge at any price, or will they volunteer to clean up every weekend, perhaps on their way back over the bridge after a jolly jaunt to far-flung places.?

Harrogate Council are right to want an environmental survey, they can obviously see what the campaigners can’t, ie, that the long term impact will be irreversible.

At the moment the river is its own policeman, but a bridge will be the perfect place for the latest craze of jumping into the water from a height, and if made tall enough to prevent this, which from the design it looks to be, then it will be a blot on a beautiful landscape for ever.

Isn’t it time these people came to their senses and acknowledged that actually most people don’t want our river banks turned into a rubbish dump, nor do they want this ugliest of constructions placed in our own area of natural beauty, which is every bit as stunning as Nidderdale if they care to open their eyes.

I really believe they have the most enormous cheek to take it on themselves to ruin our river and its banks for ever for purely selfish reasons, and I for one want my grandchildren to appreciate this unspoiled area of Burley just as their grandparents did before them.

D Roe

Wrexham Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale

MP should pay back any profit from sale of his flat

According to Philip Davies, MP, he did not claim to make a “loss” on his central London apartment in the year 2005-2006. However, the article in your sister paper, the Telegraph & Argus, to which he refers clearly states that “Mr Davies says he actually made a loss of £409 on his accommodation allowance in his first year in Parliament.”

Mr Davies also claims to be “outraged and dismayed” by the recent revelations of MPs expenses, however the Parliamentary record shows that he was not once able to rouse himself and vote in favour of debates aimed at increasing transparency into this matter.

However, there is a more important point of principle here. Mr Davies has so far claimed around £24,000 for accommodation for each year he has been in Parliament. He has used this money to help pay off the mortgage on his London apartment. When Mr Davies leaves Parliament he will be able to sell this apartment and potentially make a profit. I believe his electorate would look much more kindly on Mr Davies, if he were to commit himself to paying back the accommodation allowances he has received from the taxpayer out of any future profit he should make from the sale of his apartment.

Riaz Meer

Ron Lawton Crescent, Burley-in-Wharfedale

Congratulations to everyone who made carnival a success

I’d just like to congratulate everyone who worked so hard to make last Saturday’s Carnival such a success – the work that went into organising and preparing for the event certainly paid off – we were all treated to a truly fun day, filled with creativity, imagination and sunshine!

We would also like to thank the many people who visited our stall and had a go on our tombola – every penny went to Otley Mayor’s two charities – £100.40 in total.

Many thanks indeed.

Julia Mulligan

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, Leeds North West