09/04/05

Surely it is not the full responsibility of the rail authorities to fence off land adjoining an operating railway.

Responsibility by parents must also play an important part in guiding and warning their children of the dangers of playing near any railway line.

To go onto a railway line is a trespassing offence. It is very dangerous, especially when one realises that a train cannot stop in a short distance, regardless of speed.

And where the authorities have provided adequate fencing, how many times do we read about where such fencing has been torn down to allow easy access onto the line?

When there is a fatality or even a near miss, just think about the trauma caused to the driver. Quite often these people have to retire early in their lives because of what has happened.

On the Continent one rarely sees any fencing. Trains there travel at faster speeds than in this country; accidents virtually none.

So come on parents, take some responsibility for your children, especially when you live near to a railway line. - Name and address supplied.

RED CARD

I AM appalled at the devil-may-care attitude of Darlington Football Club in closing The Quaker Centre (Echo, Apr 5).

A club spokesman was quoted as saying that it was not a facility used by Darlington Football Club and resources were directed towards core football activity.

As memory serves, it is barely a year since the club came cap in hand to the community begging for support to keep the club afloat.

This is how they repay the fans and the community, by closing The Quaker Centre.

It is difficult enough as it is in Darlington to get a five-a-side court, and one less venue will only serve to compound the problem. Thank you Darlington Football Club. - James Farrow, Darlington.

WIND FARMS

WILL wind farms reduce carbon dioxide emissions? (HAS, April 1).

Your reader wanted to know if anyone can prove such a reduction is taking place.

Wind farms are increasingly being used to help electricity generation companies achieve their renewables obligation.

The Government has signed the Kyoto agreement and, by so doing, is committed to generating ten per cent of UK energy needs from renewables by 2010.

The wind turbine featured would produce in a year over five million kWh of electricity, using wind rather than fossil fuels - saving at least 870 tonnes of emitted carbon dioxide.

The New and Renewable Energy Centre here at Blyth is a large scale testing facility. We are building a wind turbine blade test which will help usher in the next generation of turbines, bringing carbon dioxide savings of at least 2,175 tonnes per year.

The targets are in place, the technology is being developed and wind does appear to be part of the solution. So the answer to the question is yes. - Dr Richard Court, Technology Specialist, Wind Renewables, New and Renewable Energy Centre.

CALM DOWN

I HAVE been a resident in Spennymoor for over 40 years. I live on an extremely pleasant estate close to the Town Park, which must have one of the best road safety records in the country.

However, Durham County Council Highways Department decided to install a tribute to the "foothills of the Himalayas" on our estate roads. These are justified as "traffic calming measures" to improve road safety.

I am unaware of any accidents on this estate in the last 20 years other than a small number of incidents due to ice in winter. Certainly none that have resulted in injuries to either adults or children.

So how can you possibly improve on a near perfect record, and justify such an obvious waste of money?

I am appalled at the effect on my quality of life, which they have seen fit to lower. Not only have the actions of Durham County Council succeeded in making this estate a complete pain to get in and out of, they have also made it look so uninviting that if I were a potential new resident to the area, I would look elsewhere. - Geoff Howell, Spennymoor.

DEMENTIA SERVICES

I SUPPORT Councillor Eleanor Lister's reported concern about services for dementia sufferers (Echo, Apr 5).

In my experience, difficulties arise partly from the distinction between health services and social services. In any case, those who call on Alzheimer's sufferers at home are well meaning people who have to deal with a wide range of illnesses and problems of old age.

The need is for a daily attendance team for this specific illness trained to notice, for example, the progress of the dementia and perhaps ensure that the difficulties of patients unwilling to eat are not leading to nutritional deficiencies. Bedsores are not just the result of lying in bed.

The team ought to be flexible in the rules under which they operate, for example about lifting patients. Reliance on the erratic attendance of workers, concerned about their travel allowances from rapid-turnover private agencies, poorly trained and with changing faces, should be discontinued.

The Alzheimer's Society plays a valuable role but it is not a national organisation providing the daily hands-on help which family members often need at particular times of the day. - Eric Shuttleworth, Darlington.

BIGGLES BONUS

WHAT an enjoyable article on the connections between Capt WE Johns and the region (Echo, Mar 30).

The Biggles books were certainly as popular in the middle of the last century as the Harry Potter books are today.

My particular favourite Biggles book was Spitfire Parade. The adventures described were clearly based on real events in the Second World War. My favourite character among Biggles' pals was Bertie. His typically British stiff upper lip and monocle that would never stay in place at the crucial moment raised many a laugh.

Capt Johns' Biggles, Worrals and Gimlet gave hours of happy reading and a rush to the library when a new title appeared. I don't however recognise Steeley who is listed among the heroes in the article. Have I missed out on something? Perhaps another Biggles fan could enlighten me. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

FLOUR POWER

HOW terribly distressing for George (HAS April 4) having to forgo his favourite Yorkshire puddings all because of a new cooker.

The best way for George to overcome his problem is to carry on for a couple of weeks eating ready made puddings and after a couple of Sunday lunches to casually mention that the off the shelf puddings taste much better than Sylvia's.

It can be certain that good old puds will be back within days.

Good luck George. - Jim Rishworth, Darlington.