Jobs Motors Property Directory Announcements Search Sign In NEWS YOUR SAY CITY BUZZ NOSTALGIA GIVING BACK LEEDS RECOMMENDS SIX OF THE BESTMORE Scrap the trains Published: 11:25 Saturday 08 January 2005 Howard Williamson (YEP, January 1) reports the "success" of Trans-Pennine Express company in carrying 137,171 passengers per year from Manchester to York. However, this amounts to only 240 per day in each direction – enough to fill five 50-seat coaches – illustrating the trivial use to which this invaluable right of way is put. A train's wheelbase is only 4ft 8.5in, however, the clear width between bridge abutments on a two-track line is 24 feet – the same as the carriageway width for a trunk road. Elsewhere the level width averages 28 feet. Headroom is everywhere adequate for container lorries. Hence if this invaluable right of way is to be put to sensible use, take the railway lines off and turn it into a road. Express coaches would then provide the same journey times as the trains at a quarter the cost. Those coaches would fill only a fraction of the space available, leaving lots to spare for lorries and other vehicles currently using unsuitable rural roads and city streets to the loss of all of us. Meanwhile taxpayers may like to know that national rail may cost every household in the land between 200 and 400 annually forever and that half of us use a train less than once a year. Paul F Withrington (for Transport Watch), Redland Drive, Northampton BBC must stop this obscene show In spite of widespread public protest I understand the BBC is going ahead with the programme Jerry Springer - The Opera. I understand that this is a highly offensive production which mocks God. Critics have described it as "foul-mouthed" (Observer) and "raucously filthy" (Sunday Times). I have never condoned foul language and find it offensive. Having it broadcast on TV is more offensive than having to listen to it in the street. It is my contention that by screening this programme the BBC will be in fundamental in breach of its Charter. Dr John Etherton, e-mail A dream trek to help children As a patron and loyal supporter of the national children's cancer charity, CLIC, I am writing to encourage your readers to take on a challenge to support children with cancer. Each and every day in the UK five children are diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia, CLIC works tirelessly to support these children and their families helping to make life a little more bearable during such a difficult and challenging time. CLIC is entirely funded by voluntary donations and relies on a series of fundraising initiatives to help fund these vital services. In 2005, CLIC are setting an amazing high altitude Peru challenge, trekking or cycling through the Andes. Choose to either cycle from Cuzco to Lake Titicaca or trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and support those children who are currently undergoing the challenge of their treatment for cancer. During this challenge, you will encounter one of the best trekking trails in the world due to its striking beauty, ancient Inca ruins and diverse ecological zones. Your ultimate destination will be Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. On the bike ride, you'll visit Machu Picchu by train then set off on two wheels through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You will discover traditional villages, colourful markets and Inca temples whilst surrounded by snow-capped mountains and an abundance of wildlife including llamas and alpacas. Whichever challenge you choose the scenery will simply take your breath away. Please think of the 155 children who have been diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia this month, they are facing their own challenge; please help them by trekking or cycling for CLIC. You can find out more about CLIC's Peru challenge by visiting www.clic.org.uk or pick up the phone today and call 0845 124 1188. LAURENCE LLEWELYN-BOWEN Jake at the Varieties In response to Cherril Cliff's words about the great Jake Thackray (Letters, December 31), I thought Cherril and many other readers would be interested to hear that the musical play Sister Josephine Kicks The Habit that Jake was working on at the time of his death is finally coming to the stage this summer. The play brings together many of Jake's wonderfully eccentric cast of characters from his songs in this original show. The show premieres at Helmsley Arts Centre in May and will come to Leeds City Varieties on Thursday June 9 to Saturday June 11. Kate Evans and Lizzy Fox, Marketing and Publicity Managers, City Varieties Music Hall l Regarding the letter about Jake Thackray, I lived quite close to Jake and I remember him very well. He used to bring his jackets to me to sew leather patches on the elbows and entertain my children with a song – or rather it was more of a ditty. He had a very unique way of entertaining. His mother took my children to Sunday School and I do believe she was a friend of the original Von Trapp family. BETTY LONGBOTTOM, Bramley, Leeds Bowled out Mrs Hubery's letter (YEP, January 1) highlights the problems that have faced Woodhouse Bowling Club over the years. The removal of parking facilities there is the latest setback and illustrates an uncaring attitude Leeds City Council has towards the elderly. This is in stark contrast to that of National Government which announced last year that, in recognition of the hardships endured by people during World War Two, that they would receive free passports for life. Leeds City Council are guilty of mismanagement over this issue and councillors should move quickly to put matters right. John Blakeman, Becketts Park Drive, Leeds Abysmal I turned on my TV and nearly choked on my dinner when I saw Lizzy Bardsey on Celebrity Fit Club. So ITV's definition of a celebrity is someone who is infamous for being fat, lazy and foul-mouthed? Someone who continually breeds offspring she cannot afford to support with a useless husband? Someone who would rather scrounge thousands of pounds per year of benefits than go out and do an honest day's work, but who can still find the money for 30 cigarettes a day? What sort of message is being sent out to our younger generations by labelling such an abysmal excuse of a woman a celebrity? J ABLETT, Garton Avenue, Leeds Too loud while fireworks are better than last year, I still feel that they are far too loud. One went off on New Year's Eve and I thought I was on my drive, it was so loud. I have a little dog who was terrified and even the next day she wasn't back to her old self. It's not just my dog, but others I know. They can't help themselves, but at least I can write on their behalf. M MIDDLETON, Lowther Grove, Garforth Keep them safe Again another story of a toddler abducted and assaulted. Why, oh, why don't parents or those in charge of toddlers use reins anymore? It is so simple a way to keep a child safe and still have your hands free to shop, etc. L GOODYEAR, Moortown, Leeds Promoted Stories Promoted Links by Taboola £2bn Lloyds share sale: the latest news Hargreaves Lansdown See The Online Furniture Store That Has Retailers Worried Wayfair There Are 7 Types of English Surnames — Which One Is Yours? 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