Green belt
threatened 
by stupidity

THE best piece of planning legislation ever passed was that which established the green belt. This is now threatened by the Government’s desperation to 
get the construction industry going again.

Yet those of us who read the construction firms’ statements excusing poor returns find they do not complain about a 
shortage of land, or even of restrictive operating conditions. They all confirm that they are doing badly because of lack of demand.

If the Government thinks that giving builders a free rein with the countryside will create this demand, then they are every bit as stupid as when they thought that windmills would enable them to comply with their self-imposed crippling emissions standards (Yorkshire Post, September 6).

Why are we saddled with governments which simply have no common sense? If the ordinary man (and of course woman) in the street were in charge, we would make a lot more progress with our economy, and avoid most political catastrophes.

Rail answer to
mining traffic

From: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon

IN the report (Yorkshire Post, September 3) on the proposed new potash mine near Whitby, the hope was expressed that it will lead to better services and infrastructure, and benefit the wider tourism industry.

We are certainly all aware of the traffic problems in Whitby and the poor availability of public transport in the area.

What is sorely needed is the reinstatement of the railway line between Malton and Pickering, thus enabling those living in many parts of Yorkshire to have the ability to travel to Whitby much more easily.

This would both increase the attraction of visiting Whitby and also help to alleviate the current traffic problems.

The only question is, do 
those in charge have the necessary foresight to move this forward?

Change the tune please!

From: David Smith, Almsford Avenue, Harrogate.

ONE of the most enjoyable features of my daily Yorkshire Post is the varied selection of interesting and informative letters from your readers.

However, these are regularly interspersed with letters from a small hard core of correspondents with not a 
single original thought 
between them.

They purport to be experts on every topic under the sun, 
from Prince Harry to the environment and from rail 
fares to all sports.

Most people have opinions on a wide range of subjects, but don’t seek to foist them on others ad nauseam.

Friendly pair
made our day

From: Alan and Jean Dick, Redcraigs, Kirkcaldy, Fife.

MY wife and I spent a few days in York recently on holiday. On Tuesday, September 4, we paid a visit to Scarborough and caught the 10.40 train from York.

On boarding the train, we sat beside a delightful couple from Leeds who were going to Scarborough.

They told us they were married in 1949 and that they had a timeshare in Malta. They spoke of caravan holidays and a rescued West Highland Terrier. They also told us of a grandson in a kilt and the fact they had fostered 24 children.

My wife and I wished we had hours to spend in their company but sadly the train journey was over. I carried their bag to the platform and we said our goodbyes. The last time we saw them they were waiting for a taxi outside the station in Scarborough. We know they had health problems and we wish them well for the future.

We never knew their names but this enchanting couple turned an ordinary train trip for two strangers from Fife into a journey of delight. We both thank them very much.

Send burglars
to front line

From: Susan Dennis, Laverton, Ripon.

JUDGE Peter Bowers declared that it took courage to be a burglar and also said that prison did not work – I agree with him on the second point (Yorkshire Post, September 7).

I would suggest that burglars are sent to fight with our 
fantastic Army in Afghanistan – then we would see exactly 
how courageous these yobs are.

If prisons are to “work” 
perhaps the regimes in 
there should be a little tougher, with fewer televisions in rooms and more discipline and education.

Dickensian
dilemmas

From: Kendal Wilson, Wharfebank Terrace, Tadcaster.

I FEEL I must try to comment upon Phil Shanks’s article (Yorkshire Post, August 29) relating to the potential 
return to Dickensian times 
under the sceptre of Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith.

It may just be worth pointing out that while Mr Shanks’s comments are polite and justified he, like many, fails to put into place more robust countenance to possible or impending consequences of the cutting regime of the Government against some of the most vulnerable in society.

You have to realise you are 
not dealing with people who 
have had any relationship nor indeed understanding of what 
is wrongly perceived as underclass.

I would have thought in more healthy democratic times that term alone would have been enough to stir the sensibilities of the dwindling core of the 
working class.

The reason nobody fought 
back is simply that the ordinary person has no champions 
save for a few retired post-war MPs who may have at some 
point had a relationship with manual labour!