Trolleybus is outdated technology

THE comparisons by Mr Stead (The Yorkshire Post, August 5) do not reflect reality.

The Sheffield Bus Partnership, now approaching two-years-old, has given all partners (including bus operators) the opportunity to stimulate passenger growth and improve customer satisfaction and value for money. It is, however, misleading to highlight profit levels as being sustainable at this stage in what remains a very challenging operating environment where First compete with the tram and other bus operators – albeit there is not as extensive local rail network in Sheffield as there is in West Yorkshire.

No one can deny trolleybus is outdated technology. When we have hybrid technology that reduces emissions by nearly half and we have full electric buses already in York, why would we choose trolleybuses?

Hybrid technology throughout West Yorkshire would positively impact air quality standards to a far greater extent than a single corridor of trolleybuses.

We have set out our objections to the proposed trolleybus scheme and will continue to do so when the inquiry recommences in September.

In praise of NHS care

From: Andrew Patterson, Horbury, Wakefield.

IN our current climate, it is all too easy to point a finger at our NHS for its failures, the targets missed and the budgets exceeded.

I, however, would like to paint a different picture. I was admitted to The Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary on July 17 for open heart surgery to correct a valve problem. I spent nearly eight hours in theatre the following day, waking up the day after.

From that time, to my return home, I received a truly world class standard of care. Nothing was too much trouble and all delivered with a kind smile. We should be so proud to have such a centre of excellence in our area.

I would like to thank Mr Kaul and his team for the highly skilled surgery, and all the nurses and auxiliary staff for the wonderful post-operative care. Much of the fixtures and fittings of this unit had been provided by the local charity “Take Heart”. I hope your readers will support this charity.

Population out of control

From: David Cook, Cottingham, East Yorkshire.

YET another article on immigration by Ryan Shorthouse (The Yorkshire Post, August 12), but it misses the most salient point.

We are a tiny island and already have too great a population. The roads are so crowded that even the smallest incident can cause long delays and a serious accident can take hours to resolve. Most commuters have a daily battle with traffic jams. There are too few houses being built, especially in the so called “affordable” bracket.

Hospitals are struggling to cope with the ever-increasing workload and the prisons are overloaded so that only serving half a sentence is the norm. Railways are priced to deter travellers.

Having only two million unemployed is somehow regarded as satisfactory. Even though migrants have greatly benefitted the UK in the past, we need fewer – rather than more – inhabitants in our lovely country.

Memories of Palestine

From: JR Frost, Bishop Wilton.

AFTER the war in Europe was over, I was a captain in the Royal Artillery. I was posted to the Middle East in 1947. We were in Palestine which was then a British protectorate.

Immigration was not possible and our main job was at the docks turning shiploads away. We also went round outlying areas telling the Palestinians “Do not worry, the British are here to protect you”.

In 1948, it was all change. Immigration was now possible and Palestine was divided up and they lost much of their best land.

Shades 
of waste

From: RC Carter, Malham Square, Wakefield.

TRAVELLING on a Leeds road recently, I noticed workmen painting a grid pylon a delicate shade of yellow. As these are made of galvanised steel and in most part in good order, why is this being done?

As there are thousands of these all over the country, the mind boggles at the cost involved in manpower alone.

If the power company has a surplus of money, I think that a reduction of the price of the product would be more appropriate.

Poor quality of recruits

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

READING about how the members of police forces, both uniform and civilian, are acting on social media sites makes me wonder what sort of people are the police employing and why are the written rules served on them before they commence employment. During the 30 years I served, quality of staff was paramount.