LETTERS: February 14

DO THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT HERE?

Marjorie Whitehead, Chapel Allerton

IT was good to see the CYBG chief executive David Duffy looking so pleased (Yorkshire Evening Post, February 1 ) after making good progress with its efficiency programme.

On the wall behind him a Yorkshire Bank plaque stated ‘We care about Here’” Hmm? Where is ‘here’?

Not here in Chapel Allerton, where for some unknown reason a decision has been made to close our branch, causing much dismay and inconvenience to many - especially older customers and, I imagine, to some local shops.

Never mind Mr Duffy, no doubt the existing HSBC branch will be ready to welcome your castaways.

MP’S STANCE ON BREXIT DESERVES RESPECT

Michael McGowan, former Labour MEP for Leeds.

I believe the criticism of the MP for Wakefield, Mary Creagh, as the only Yorkshire MP to go against the will of her electorate over Brexit, is unfair but raises important issues about the referendum.

It could equally be said that Mary Creagh is the only Yorkshire MP to stick to her long held principles by voting to remain in the EU and was brave and showed political courage by voting against Brexit which may be to her disadvantage at the polls.

It may even be said that some MPs who campaigned to remain in the EU but voted to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty to leave the EU did so in order to save their own bacon.

The EU referendum was about the internal problems of the Conservative Party and their fear of UKIP and was totally inappropriate for a decision on the UK’s membership of the EU. And it has resulted in serious dilemmas for all MPs which should be recognised.

Mary Creagh is one of the few MPs with practical knowledge of both local government and European affairs. She is a committed internationalist with a proud record on issues of human rights, workers rights and the environment. And her principled stance on the Brexit vote deserves respect.

COME JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER RANKS

Lieutenant General (Retired) Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB, Chief Executive, SSAFA, the Armed Forces

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing vital support for our troops, veterans and their families for 131 years; annually, it now supports over 60,000 people. We provide the ‘frontline’ across the military charity sector through our network of motivated and resourceful volunteers who go and visit those who may require help and who address their needs.

To continue this essential work - that alleviates suffering and hardship amongst those who are serving or have served this Nation in our Armed Forces and their families, SSAFA is in real need of more volunteers in your local area. Our volunteers deliver vital assistance in all sorts of ways – starting by visiting individuals in their homes, assessing their needs and building a bespoke package of support. We can help with issues such as mobility, home repairs, house adaptations, household goods, homelessness, marriage breakdown, mental health problems, urgent debt support, essential food and groceries needs, clothing and to cover the training costs to help younger veterans back into work.

Volunteering for SSAFA is a most rewarding role: it is varied, interesting and hands-on and requires planning and problem solving, using local knowledge, in order to address the difficulties facing a wide range of people – from a veteran of World War II to a recent Service leaver in their twenties.

At SSAFA, we feel very strongly that the Armed Forces community have ‘looked after our backs’; it is now our turn, whenever and wherever necessary, to protect theirs. We would therefore like to hear from any of your readers who are interested in joining SSAFA’s volunteer ranks, particularly those who have the time and inclination to give something back to men and women who have already given so much.

Please contact us at www.ssafa.org.uk/newrecruits or call 0800 032 5612.

CAN’T WE PULL IN SAME DIRECTION?

Paul C Thompson, Scarcroft

It was very refreshing to hear of further investment in the special steel industry, due, it seams, because of good loyalty and support of the workforce. This has got to be good for the local economy, jobs and maintaining a standard of living.

Sadly, on the same day it was announced that the rail union shepherds are rounding up their flock, all who have well paid jobs, to continue their southern strike programme up here in the north with little notice.

This will cause much misery to people attempting to get to their place of work, plus the financial loss to all.

If everybody pulled in the same direction we would be unbeatable.

HOMES WON’T HELP LOW PAID

Alex Gillies, LS16

So our so-called MPs are demanding the building of endless thousands of new and affordable homes.

These will be houses that will be purchased by the tenants for a knock down price and sold for a profit, probably to someone who’s looking to invest in renting.

As we had this problem in the 60s with people living in rented squalor, building affordable (cheap) housing will not change anything for the low paid any time soon.

Then there is the bricks, roof tiles and such materials, and not forgetting the skilled work force.

Will they be pulled out of a hat like some illusionist’s trick? Brickworks have been mothballed or closed up and down the UK over the last two decades and many tradesmen have either retired or gone into other types of employment.

Oh! I forgot, we’ll be able to source all these requirements from the EU.

The same skilled brickies that built the schools in Scotland,that didn’t know they needed wall ties to keep the building from caving in during high winds.

WHERE ARE ALL THE CYCLISTS?

Martin J Phillips, LS16

So according to Coun Richard Lewis there has been a “massive increase” in cycling in Leeds (YEP, February 10).

I’d be interested to learn where these cyclists are as they are definitely not on the Cycle Superhighway.

I spent three hours on part of this cycle route one afternoon recently and not one cyclist came past in either direction.

Similarly, since the canal towpath was resurfaced it has been devoid of cyclists whenever I have been on it.

Any cyclists I do see are all heading away from Leeds beyond the outer ring road and busy commuter routes.

I suggest Coun Lewis provides the press with a copy of the survey that supports his claim.

HAVE VISION OVER CITY TRANSPORT

Jim Smith, Whitkirk

I see that Green Party member Jamie Lewis wants us to use trains and buses.

In the north of England we use trains and buses that run on diesel. Have some vision.

In Yorkshire we need a rapid, sustainable transport system. And that is electrification. Underground and overground, put the system where people need it and put park and rides at all the out of town terminuses.

Yes it will cost a very large amount of money, but what have we got now?

Concrete bus lanes, all costing millions of pounds, all with jet black diesel soot stains on. And yes we have the new cycle lanes - the new game is to spot the cyclist.

Will our elected city fathers have the guts to get a rapid transport system that will last the test of time and be clean and none polluting?

RAISING FINES IS NO DETERRENT

Paul Hatfield, Otley

Rising speeding fines is just another useless deterrent because there will be nobody there to implement them.

There are no traffic police around so why bother?

Pool Road in Otley where I live is a glorified race track and the local police are aware but do nothing.