HS3 plan has real economic value to North

THE idea of HS3 to accelerate growth and economic prosperity across our northern cities is much more appealing and justifiable than the vanity project that is HS2.

Our revered Chancellor George Osborne is economically credible when he acknowledges that collectively Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle could become a single significant economic force with integrated transport links.

The Chancellor has obviously been convinced by business leaders that the North would benefit from improved rail links from West to East.

HS3, linking initially Leeds and Manchester, would so dramatically transform the North and allowing our flourishing economy to be less reliant on the South East and London for its future prosperity and growth.

As George Osborne represents a North West constituency, it is imperative that improved rail connectivity is achieved 
to ensure our burgeoning economy maintains an upward curve.

Like HS2, it is essential that the taxpayer is afforded value for money.

Improving the transport infrastructure of this country will ensure that accessibility and connectivity to the fore.

From: ME Wright, Grove Road, Harrogate.

YET another delayed decision on the likelihood of trolleybuses for Leeds (The Yorkshire Post, July 1). For 60 years, Leeds has been lumbered with the cut-price compromise of what were the “state-of-the-art” buses of their day.

First Group continue to 
assert that, with more of the same, they can do the job on 
the cheap.

It sounds so drearily familiar.

I recently took the bus to Crossgates and, as it juddered along a concrete trough, youthful memory recalled that this was where shrub-bordered tram tracks once ran, segregated from other traffic.

These were the early stages of a late 20th century mass transit system, envisaged by the city’s far-sighted transport department.

Their political masters thought only of the cheapest 
way of getting through the 
next election and we know the result.

As a means of mass transport, either type of bus cannot compete with the tramways of mainland Europe in providing an attractive option to the private car.

Leeds has been let down badly, by both Tory and Labour governments, in the funding for a new tram system.

With all the Westminster talk of Northern investment, is it time for another and more urgent go?

Revolutionary mob of miners

From: RG Jennings, Priestley Hall, Bingley.

may I support the letter from William Snowden of Baildon Moor (The Yorkshire Post, June 30)? This was an illegal strike that had not been voted on by the miners. A rabble led by arch- rabble rouser Arthur Scargill for political motives, it created substantial breaches of the peace.

The police had a huge job keeping order in the face of a revolutionary mob that has never ceased crying the poor tale because they lost. Even their MPs have learned nothing from the experience.

Now they want yet another public inquiry at enormous expense that will only tell us all what we already know. They brought this on themselves and until they and their MPs change their ways, they have to live with the result.

A grand gesture

From: K Gardner, Hunslet

SO, Leeds City Council has posthumously awarded Beryl Burton the freedom of the city. Throughout her peerless sporting career and in the 18 years since her death, our local authority have never ever bothered to celebrate or commemorate her monumental sporting achievements.

Then, suddenly, days before Le Grand Départ, we now have Le Grand Gesture from publicity- hungry leaders in the civic hall!

I suggest this award is not about honouring a truly great Yorkshire woman, merely an exercise in public relations and self-congratulation for being granted the privilege of hosting a major sporting event.

Voting for decline

From: Revd Paul Williamson, Hanworth Rectory, Blakewood Close, Feltham, Middlesex.

I AM totally dismayed at the General Synod of the Church of England which meets in York shortly and intends to pass a vote on allowing women bishops.

They have not looked closely at the unfolding drama of the declining churches – the episcopal church in the USA and the Swedish Lutheran church – where women bishops and all their accompaniments have reduced congregations to a minimum and led to the near demise of their churches.

Has Synod not examined the reasons that have led to this decline?

Has Synod no plan to fill churches and evangelise England with this new innovation?

What will we see in 20 years time?

Will there still be a parish church serving every community?

These fundamental questions need an answer – now!