OFFICIALS of the Road Haulage Association tell us that there are thousands of accidents a year involving heavy goods vehicles, costing over £50 million, with few prosecutions, apart from the most serious. The usual scenario being that the culprits (usually of side-swiping) return quickly to the Continent to avoid the consequences.
At the same time, our own drivers involved in mishaps abroad are unable to avoid the consequences and dispensed summary justice.
The only light on the horizon is that by next spring, the Government is to introduce measures to ensure that foreign
drivers will have to answer for their accidents and other indiscretions, such as driving over allotted hours etc. Long overdue one might say, as are charges for using our roads by the hundreds who pay nothing and even avoid the tax on our fuel by fitting extra large fuel tanks and only filling up abroad. How can we be so slack? Entente cordiale is one thing but stupidity is another.
E A Lundy, Beeston, Leeds
Invalid criticismRE 'Dramatic decline', letter from Paul Kilroy (YEP, May 6).
What a shame that Mr Kilroy paid so little attention to the Carriageworks' programme which has offered a rich and varied mixture of entertainment.
Since when could productions by the Leeds Youth Opera (Idomeneo), Leeds Gilbert & Sullivan Society (Ruddigore), West Yorkshire Opera Company (Merry Wives of Windsor), works by Alan Bennett and John Godber, to name but a few, be described as 'sleaze on the rates'?
Mr Kilroy should do his homework before making such damning, invalid and potentially damaging criticism in the press.
Well done to the Carriageworks for both their classical and experimental programmes.
Anne Gill, Leeds
Don't blame usREGARDING the news item about Ms Threadgould waking up to find her cat covered in oil (YEP, May 7). It must have been a slow news day if people find reading this interesting.
I am co-owner of the land – with my husband – and I would like to know what proof she has that the cat received the oil from my land as there are four garages on Smalewell Road.
I have been the owner of the land for the past 25 years and never received any complaints. There are no open oil drums on my land. It is commercial premises and has been for the past 150 years, as it used to be a coal merchants.
People fly-tip on my land and let their dogs and cats defecate with no attempt to clean up after them.
Elaine Wright, Tofts Road, Pudsey
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