Forge plans are a dead end

READING Tom Richmond’s article (Yorkshire Post, July 18) I saw Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves’ obsession with Kirkstall Forge yet again.

But those with knowledge of the area going back over 60 years believe the project is doomed to be a white elephant, and one which may never come to fruition due to the cul-de-sac nature of that site, which can be entered or left only from the busy A65 road.

The A65 itself is only accessible from the west bank of the River Aire after first crossing railway lines and then the canal at either Kirkstall or Calverley bridges.

Ms Reeves is trying hard as our new MP in Leeds West, but what are needed are real jobs; British jobs for British workers in industry, not more shop assistants or hotel chambermaid posts.

Army retreat

From: David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.

LIAM Fox, the Defence Secretary, plans to reduce the number of regular Army soldiers by 101,000 and instead offer more training and better equipment to the Territorial Armies (Yorkshire Post, July 19). This could be a good move if it means our politicians will at last stop getting involved in so many wars and conflicts around the world, which are none of our business.

If we have fewer regular troops, they cannot be deployed in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Bahrain, Kosovo, The Balkans and other parts of Africa. The TA are highly motivated, very capable young men, and proved their worth in both world wars.

Up in smoke

From: Tim Mickleburgh, Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby.

KARL Sheridan put the case succinctly for building timber homes (Yorkshire Post, July 18). Yet wouldn’t these be more at danger from fires, whether of the accidental or deliberate variety?

It’d be interesting to know what fire brigades would have to say on this issue. Incidentally, as Honorary Vice President of the National Piers Society, I can remark that piers do seem to suffer a good deal from fires, with their traditional timber decking not helping in this regard.