Analysis of transport issues flawed

From: Roger Backhouse, Orchard Road, Upper Poppleton, York.

SIR ANDREW Cook’s company is undoubtedly a Yorkshire success but his grasp of some transport issues is distinctly shaky (The Yorkshire Post, January 8).

I remember Bradford’s trolleybuses and even Leeds trams, both civilised transport. Trolleybuses were quiet and efficient people movers but nothing like as manoeuvrable as Sir Andrew claims.

Any overhead wire damage brought systems to a standstill, so many towns and cities across Europe scrapped trolleybuses, even in Switzerland. Far better are the battery electric buses we have on the No 59 park and ride route from Poppleton to York.

And why, apart from ideology, does he think Labour’s nationalisation plans for the railways would have led to more strikes? It is pure supposition. John Major’s railway privatisation was supposed to save taxpayers money and reduce union power. It did the opposite.

Cost to the taxpayer is now four times as much in real terms as in the days of British Rail. We’ve seen many strikes in the privatised companies.

The late Bob Crow and his ASLEF counterparts were no fools when it came to seeking advantage by playing one company off against another. No wonder John Major didn’t mention rail privatisation in his autobiography.

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

THANK YOU (The Yorkshire Post,

January 9) for addressing the issue of the dire bus service in Leeds.

Because of the 2017 Bus Service Act, our council has the power to influence bus services.

Once again it reveals itself out of touch with people who need public transportation to get to work, hospital appointments, etc.

More buses running on time would reduce the pollution in Leeds and other populated towns and cities in Yorkshire.

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

USUALLY by bus, my trips around Leeds confirm Tom Richmond’s observations on traffic lights (The Yorkshire Post, January 11). Is it time to consider seriously whether their endless proliferation benefits anyone other than those who make them?

Between Harrogate and Knaresborough, there is a quirky junction at Bond End. It used to be controlled by the usual convulsions of lights.

Some time back, North Yorkshire County Council replaced these with two mini-roundabouts and zebra crossings.

This works smoothly and well for drivers, riders and walkers. The arrangement is also far better aesthetically and many of us have enjoyed the rarity of singing NYCC’s praises. Alas, it hasn’t led to further curbing of their traffic lights addiction. Of course, Knaresborough’s Bond End doesn’t compare with city traffic and logistics, but isn’t the principle worth thinking about?