The Government tells us it wants us to reduce pollution by using public transport but when trains and buses are frequently late or never turn up, there is no surprise that the opposite is happening.

Only this week, I encountered more problems with public transport in my area. While stood at a sign-posted bus stop, in plain view with two other users, the scheduled bus simply passed by. When I spoke to the bus company involved, their reply come in the form of one question "Did you put your hand out?"

When I asked around at the bus station, I was informed that "the only compulsory stop is at the bus station itself" and that being at the bus stop at the correct times means nothing as many driver will not stop without an arm signal. This is the first time I have ever encountered this in the many years that I have used public transport.

The Government focuses on the topics that they think will help win another term. They have also said that they hope to reduce CO2 emission by 23.6 per cent by 2010, but if they constantly neglect the state of public transport their goal will not be reached.

In the meantime, the number of unsatisfied public transport users increases, as does the number of cars on the road.


Let's have prudence from Brown


From: Graham Hague, Bolton Brow, Sowerby Bridge.

THE question is very simple: how are five million low earners better off because of the abolition of the 10p rate?

As a single retiree approaching his 61st birthday with an income (none of it coming from the state benefit system) well below the £18,000 figure which is being bandied about, I would like to ask how I am to receive my so-called compensation for the loss of the 10p tax rate?

I have heard a variety of proposals, none of which have been confirmed and I've heard the politicians say that, of the five million or so persons affected, many will receive nothing.

With a General Election in the not too distant future, can any Labour Party MP convince me that the abolition of the 10p tax rate was justified? However, a word of warning to any such person – do not trot out the stock answer that tax credits, child allowances etc have benefited many more people.

Every household knows that council tax, water rates, gas and electricity, food and petrol and diesel prices have risen well above the official rate of inflation. It is not 2.5 per cent, it is at least twice that.

So, Gordon Brown, I will introduce economies and somehow I'll manage but what will you do? What example of prudence will you and your Government show? Perhaps an increase in the tax rate for five million people in the highest tax bands or increase the VAT rate on non-essential or luxury goods. Or perhaps even more radically, stop subsidising the so-called Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.

A letter to treasure

From: Julie CE Smith, Old Hexthorpe, Doncaster.

HAVING saved the letter from Peter Downs when it was first printed (Yorkshire Post, April 7), my original feelings about it were reinforced when I re-read it this morning.

How considered, how judicious were the gentleman's comments on both teaching and a military career. But what caught my old heart was the final sentence: "If you are able to read this, thank a teacher; if you are reading it in English, thank a soldier."

Mr Downs did not say from whence it originated, but noted that the comment was "a footnote to a summary of the civilised privileges that most of us enjoy, in a Britain that has been free for a thousand years".

To reflect on this sentence sends my mind spinning and whirling in so many directions, as I ponder on all the thousands of people I should, and do, thank for my present life. I thank you too Mr Downs for enriching my thankful heart.

I also know that Comment and readers' letters must reflect the troubles and anxieties of the public, and will contain criticism and condemnation and complaint, but what a joy to read a letter that contains none of that. I can only surmise that Mr Downs is a lovely, grateful man.

An exercise in futility

From: Neil Martin, Batley.

I REGULARLY attend a circuit training class at Batley Sports Centre. My twin sons, 15, decided to accompany me last night.

One is studying sport at school and I thought it would be beneficial for him to see how adult classes are run. The receptionist inquired whether they were 16 years of age.

Thinking a discount may apply, I replied that they were 15. She informed me that they could not take part in the class for health and safety reasons.

I thought that we were encouraging young people to partake of exercise and get involved in community activities!

A long list of excuses then followed from the assistant manageress about lifting weights, inadequate supervision (there were a total of eight people in the class including my two sons) and insurance requirements. At this point, I was losing the will to live.

The two boys play rugby union throughout the winter and tennis, athletics and golf during the summer months. They are super fit athletes and I want to encourage them to stay fit into adulthood when mandatory sports lessons are no longer available within
the school curriculum after GCSE stage.

I think that Kirklees Council should be ashamed of themselves. It is preventing families exercising together and fostering the alienation of young people within our society.

I would be interested in the comments of your readers, particularly given how our politicians are all making promises that they probably can't and won't keep. I'm disillusioned – and bewildered.

Climates of opinion

From: Nigel Pearson, Carr Bridge Avenue, Leeds.

HOW right Lord Lawson wasin his article "A very inconvenient truth for the climate change alarmists' (Yorkshire Post, April 12).

Back in 2003, the alarmists were saying: "Yes, global average temperatures have declined slightly over the last five years, but over the next five we expect to see a dramatic increase." What are they saying now? Exactly the same! And presumably they will continue in this vein as the Earth moves slowly but inexorably into the next Ice Age.