Window on a world gone mad

I WAS interested to read Mrs Margaret Northern’s letter (Yorkshire Post, July 20) and her regard for the safety aspect of not having rear windows in vans. It seems the health and safety rules have gone mad in the EU and, of course, we in England must accept everything that Europe throws at us.

I have had a similar instance. After having my home improvements done, the 
decision was taken to take my small window out of the 
kitchen and block all air vents alongside. Isn’t that against health and safety rules to block air vents and light in a kitchen?

But powerful lights seem not to matter, even if there is a shortage of supply with electricity. I wonder how many of these planners know how to boil a kettle, never mind cook a meal in such an atmosphere?

Perhaps the old system has enabled us to live too long. It makes me wonder.

Relic that should be in daily use

From: Frank McManus, Longfield Road, Todmorden.

YOUR correspondent Ms Esden (Yorkshire Post, July 19) writes cogently but errs in detail in attacking the verb “to diarise (or diarize)” as intrusive.

Not only does it appear in the Chambers 21st Century Dictionary but it also features in my 1964 Concise Oxford Dictionary which I prefer.

I understand that it is an old verb which fell out of fashion in and around the 19th century. Its revival is not solely due to transatlantic use, but is because it serves a real and obvious purpose.

Riding for a fall

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

SHOULD it not be a criminal offence if bike riders choose not to ride in those cycle lanes that have been provided for them? Riding on the pavement, or in and out of traffic recklessly, is 
the equivalent of a motorist driving without due care and attention.