As I relative newcomer, I'm more than impressed with life in England's hilliest city; a cosmopolitan place where one can still feel English to the core thanks to the people, culture, beer and nearby Peak District. And it was coming back from the Peaks (Jan 12), that I saw what is possibly Sheffield's biggest problem, air pollution, shrouding the city to such an extent that it couldn't be seen.

Sheffield's geography is such that it only takes a couple of windless days and the sky is heavy with smog principally from traffic, but also from power plants, what's left of industry and homes.

The data regarding air quality on the council's website is fuzzy to say the least, and while it claims that 'Sheffield is justly proud of the pioneering work carried out between the 1950s to the 1970s to improve the air quality of the city', it can safely be assumed that most of the successful work was carried out in the 1980s when the area's industry was neutered by central government.

However, it's not the council who are to blame (after all, it can't change the city's geography) but instead it is the fault of everyday people and central government.

People should simply be forced to drive smaller cars if they won't make the change themselves.

If we are not to breathe cigarette smoke in public places, why are we allowed to breathe nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone et al everywhere else?

It simply boils down to the fact that the Government would rather you breathe this cocktail of chemicals than watch a movie (starring and made by millionaires) for free as they seek to snuggle up to the likes Exxon Mobil, Universal and Sony to make sure that you pay to hear Vanessa Mae fiddle while you choke.
Simon Farnham, Falmouth Rd, Sheffield 7

Having just returned from a visit to the city centre, it was refreshing to see so many people enjoying the breathtaking rides on a sunny day in Barkers Pool, part of this years Valentine Love2b celebrations. All you could here were screams of delight.

The council needs patting on the back for allowing Farrar's Funfairs to present these rides in the city centre.

This is where many of today's fairs began and as other cities and towns have rides in their shopping areas on an annual basis, let's hope Sheffield can follow.

For those people who do not know, Sheffield plays an important link to the fairground community, as the National Fairground Archive is housed at the University.
Richard Sissons, Sheffield