Letters to the Editor

So, the Olympic flame is finally passing through our town, bringing with it the world’s media – countless television crews and newspaper photographers, also live internet coverage, watchable by anyone on the planet with internet access.

One question – do the town council have any plans to clean up North Street before the big day?

I drive along North Street every day and every day it is covered with black bin bags full of uncollected rubbish, cars parked on double yellow lines holding up traffic and, worst of all, at least a dozen empty, dirty, dishevelled shop fronts.

Is this the image of Keighley we want the world to take away? Can I suggest that after the clearly advertised ‘no parking after 6am’ deadline, any cars parked on the route are towed away, closely followed by a fleet of refuse wagons and street sweepers?

Would it be too much to ask for the council to temporarily cover the empty shop fronts with large Welcome-to-Keighley-type banners?

I’m sure the people of Keighley will be out in force doing our bit to show the good face of the town, it cannot be too much of an ask for the council to do the same.

Andy Hardaker Felbrigg Avenue Keighley

Prospect of devolution not looking too good

May I add to your accurate but incomplete report of the Keighley Town Council debate on the chief executive’s letter.

I proposed referral of the letter to the Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government (Eric Pickles MP) because the sentiments expressed therein seem not to accord at all with the high-profile Localism Act promoted by the Government, which is said to facilitate the devolution of services from a central point to local level.

What CoBMDC is proposing is to move services from one department or committee to another, eg to Keighley Area Committee, but still within the district council.

That seems to me not to be “devolution”. It is like saying to the Scots, we’re letting you have services, but we propose moving them from the Home Office to the Scottish Office (which is still in Whitehall). I think Mr Salmond might have rather a dusty answer!

Within Bradford Metropolitan District there are 18 parish or town councils.

These contain a wealth of goodwill, local experience, aspiration and, yes, ambition, to improve conditions and service delivery for their own local residents. It is the wish of the Government that they should be given the opportunity so to do. Why then is the District Council so reluctant to enable this source of local democracy to flourish? Keighley Town Council happens to be the first to ask for service devolution and, inevitably, its detractors make snide comments about its suitability.

The greater matter, as you yourself have said, is that the chief executive’s reply gives little hope for any of the 18 parishes to achieve their ambitions.

Graham Mitchell, Dockroyd Lane, Oakworth

A little bit cross over new crossing decision

I have campaigned for many years for a zebra crossing across West Lane to Our Lady of Victories School in Guard House Road.

The Bradford Highways Department has always rejected my proposals, saying this type of crossing was too costly and not justified as surveys had showed lack of traffic movement in that area, quoting PV 2 Formula for assessing traffic movement, which they say is issued by the Department of Transport.

Now after all these years a new crossing point has been built 100 yards lower down from the present accepted school crossing point, which has been controlled by our very efficient lollipop lady. How a new island crossing can be justified when a zebra has been rejected by highway officials seems to be moving the goalposts.

Presumably this new crossing is to allow children and parents coming from their homes further down West Lane, Devonshire Street and surrounding area to attend Our Lady’s school. It seems money is now available to build an island crossing in a less-used area but not a proper zebra used by parents with their children over the last 40 years on this very busy West Lane area.

BA Kenealy, Highfield Road, Keighley

Inspired by the Artistic Off-Licence project

Over the last six weeks, Keighley has had its centre brightened by creativity of all kinds.

In a time of austerity and the constant reminder of empty shops and holes, where failed attempts of positivity stare us in the face and only galvanise the true pressure of the country’s situation, one of these spaces was turned in to something to challenge that.

I’m of course talking about the Artistic Off-Licence.

The Artistic Off-Licence has created an interactive outlet for so many creative people from our town.

Giving bedroom artists the chance to be exhibited and seen for the first time.

It has engaged with people that may have never even tried their hand at art or expression and exposed people to lots of unknown creativity around them.

When so many people sit unemployed and without money, people need to be made aware of the benefits of expression through music and art.

That is what this place has given Keighley. It really needs to be given the opportunity to continue.

I personally wasn’t very familiar with the people who created this project. But the engaging nature of the people involved has brought together so many small groups of creative people to one place and created a true sense of community and support that will struggle to carry on with the same momentum.

This community has created a better network of people supporting each other’s creativity.

The Artistic Off-Licence was run and supported by volunteers that put their own well being and security in second place to the success of the project, they really deserve a life-line being thrown to turn the project into a supported system, by the council or any relevant funds.

The Artistic Off-Licence closing will now leave us with the same hole that was there before, only this time we’ll miss what had been there far more. The huge benefits of something like this in Keighley’s centre can not be overlooked.

Joe Tilston, Cavendish street, Keighley

‘Re-enactment’ could be seen as incitement

I am glad the wearing of Nazi uniforms on so-called 1940s re-enactment weekends is at last being objected to (Keighley News, June 14).

This has nothing to do with a re-enactment, as Nazi Germany did not in fact invade and occupy this country.

To many people the sight of a Nazi uniform is offensive, and understandably so.

I remember Prince Harry got into hot water a few years ago for wearing one at a party. So why should it be OK on the streets of Haworth?

Given the Nazi ideology and practices, I would have thought an incitement to racial hatred charge might be considered.

Lorraine Harding, High Street, Steeton

Music stars speak out on hearing loss issue

Plan B and Leona Lewis are the latest pop stars to admit they suffer from tinnitus.

Deafness Research UK believes by speaking out they will raise awareness of the condition and the need for better plans to tackle the root causes of tinnitus.

Plan B has called for free earplugs at gigs. Deafness Research UK welcomes this.

Tinnitus is a symptom of hearing damage and while some treatment is available, prevention is better than cure.

We really need a Plan A to tackle tinnitus, to make people alert to the danger, aware of the facts and alive to the support and information available.

To learn more, visit deafness research.org.uk.

Vivienne Michael, Chief executive, Deafness Research UK