YP Letters: Passenger safety and rail strikes

SOME weeks ago, I was travelling to Bradford from Ilkley. At one of the stations on route the train doors failed to shut.

Fortunately the guard was able to go along to the driver and within minutes we were on our way again.

Just one example why guards are needed on our trains.

Imagine what might have happened if someone had a heart attack or a stroke, and no guard was available to assist.

Perhaps the driver could have stopped the train and rendered assistance? Hopefully no other train was coming along on the same track.

What about disabled passengers, mums or dads with pushchairs? And the security felt by a uniformed presence to passengers?

Passengers are understandably angry at ever increasing fares, which often go to bail out continental state-owned railways.

Polls have shown the the majority of British travellers would like to see see British railways in British public hands.

Which comes first – passenger safety or private profit?

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

IS there a shred of evidence of any accidents on driver-only trains (David Behrens, The Yorkshire Post, March 13)?

I’ve tried hard to find any. These strikes are purely called by the unions to save jobs. Nothing wrong with that concept but they must remember that their actions could result in the loss of many more jobs when people fail to turn up for work on time.

Negotiation is the only way to end these disputes, as strike action turns the general public against their cause.

From: Geoff Wilson, Forest Crescent, Harrogate.

THE following exchange took place between a depot manager in the east of England, an aquaintance of mine, and an RMT member a few years ago.

Manager: “I gather you’re going on strike.”

RMT member: “Yes.”

Manager: “What’s it about?”

RMT member: “I dunno.”

Manager: “Why are you stiking then?”

RMT Member: “Cos the union’s told me to.”

Ignorance, intimidation or what?

Traffic lights in the night

From: Kev Davison, Rothwell.

I HAVE just read columnist Tom Richmond’s thoughts on traffic lights (The Yorkshire Post, March 11).

Well said. Another suggestion, other than peak times, why not turn them off? Why do we need traffic lights when there is no traffic (middle of the night)?

On my short commute to work, I go through some lights that immediately change to green in my favour if no traffic is going the other way, so the technology is there.

A mile down the road another set stays on red for what seems like forever at 5.20am with no traffic going through it.

I have come to the conclusion that the the traffic planning department in Leeds has a budget that must be spent.

Law an ass over costs

From: Alan Cross, Leeds.

REGARDING the farmer Kenneth Hugill and his legal bill of £30,000 despite being found not guilty (The Yorkshire Post, March 11).

I always thought that if you were found not guilty then there were no costs, as they should be paid by the party losing the argument. What has happened to British

justice?

BBC big spenders

From: Fr Neil McNicholas, Yarm.

EVEN before the licence fee has been increased, the BBC is already spending it. Monday’s FA Cup match between Chelsea and Manchester United apparently required eight presenters – four in the studio, two in the commentary team, and two at pitch-side.

The likes of Kenneth Wolstenholme and David Coleman never needed seven others to help them bring a match alive. The Beeb’s largesse with our money is truly breath-taking, and the presumption on their part is that it will always be there and in whatever quantities they choose to waste it.

Scots won’t quit union

From: John Hein, Montgomery Street, Edinburgh.

BRITISH Unionists need have no fear of the announcement of a second Scottish independence referendum: Scots are far too stupid to actually vote for independence.

Chorus of approval

From: Anthony Hopkins, Guiseley.

IN Culture and The Guide (The Yorkshire Post, March 10) David Denton writes an interesting piece on the large number of choral societies within Yorkshire and refers to the upcoming concerts by some of them.

One such particularly fine long standing society established in 1856, still singing to a very high standard under the splendid direction of Tom Leech and worthy of note, is Bradford Festival Choral Society.

Their upcoming concert falls on March 25 in the splendid setting of the Price Hall at Bradford Grammar School, performing Haydn’s Nelson Mass and the Mozart Requiem. The Mozart Requiem is that edited and completed by the English composer Duncan Druce and perhaps will be knew to some listeners but worthy of hearing.

Bradford can hold its head up high in possessing such a wonderful musical group promoting culture within the city and beyond.