17/09/04

In particular, we have highlighted the acute dangers posed by speeding motorcycles on this road, both to themselves and other road users.

We have warned repeatedly that if urgent action is not taken, then more fatalities would be certain to follow. Our call for these measures to be introduced has had widespread backing from the local community and has been supported and endorsed by Members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, local councillors, church leaders and many others. Yet still, after all this time, nothing has been done.

Last weekend yet another fatality occurred on this same short stretch of road. A motorbike collided with a passenger car near the infamous Laskill bend. The rider was killed and the car passengers hospitalised. It would be wrong at this stage to assign or imply blame. This horrible incident is, quite simply, a tragedy, both for the family and loved ones of the rider and for the traumatised passengers in the car.

But if we do not assign blame to those immediately involved, perhaps it is time that blame was laid at the door of those who might have prevented this tragedy, but did nothing; who could have responded to the community's desperate pleas for reduced speed limits and the introduction of speed cameras, but chose to turn a deaf ear. Perhaps it is time to name the individuals who carry this responsibility.

The police, for their part, have re-stated their commitment to act. But if there is a commitment, it seems more honoured in the breach than the observance. If there has been enhanced enforcement, it has seemed at best marginal and sporadic. For the most part, the B1257 remains too often a police free zone.

Meanwhile, the road remains a death trap. If nothing is done, more deaths will follow, inevitably. And the obscenity of this is that many of these deaths may be avoidable.

Something must be done. Now. And it is time that those with responsibilities to act who fail to do so, should be held publicly to account. - Ken Braithwaite, Chairman, Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger.

COUNTRYSIDE

I REALLY have to wonder at the hypocrisy of the Labour administration of Tony Blair which, whilst claiming to be the protector of the working man, nevertheless plans to close 40,000 more farms in the next ten years.

For communistic New Labour, the British countryside is not about farm workers' jobs and a prosperous rural economy and services, but a headlong rush for the maximum possible production from agriculture.

It should hang its materialistic head in shame. - Aled Jones, Bridlington.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

I HAVE a few questions for Durham County Council:

1. Given the present unelected assembly is funded (via the Association of North-East Councils) by our local authorities, has Durham County Council committed money, and for how long, and via which democratic route?

2. Along with many other councillors, including leaders, would I be correct in stating you are already an appointed member of the quango that is the unelected North-East Assembly?

3. Does this not mean those appointees, who seemingly sanctioned the diversion of public funds to the assembly, now have a vested interest in a 'Yes' vote?

4. Given the loss of local facilities, described as "discretionary", do you think it right that public money should be used to fund an unelected assembly without the public being made aware of the fact?

You are asking folk to decide on the way we are governed, and it seems you want to engage. Let's have some straight answers. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

Weardale

WEARDALE must be the hidden gem of the British Isles. My wife and I have just spent a delightful weekend there, tempted by the prospect of the steam train ride from Wolsingham to Stanhope.

We were astounded by the beauty of the route - the rushing River Wear, green and wooded countryside, immaculate stone built villages. What a delight to be in such a place.

But there was more. We stayed in a wonderful pub which served just the best steaks ever washed down with truly delicious ale; we marvelled at the architecture and industrial heritage of the area, were fascinated by the old church and the fossilised tree stump at Stanhope and spent an afternoon at the Stanhope Show.

Above all, it was the friendly, hospitable people we met everywhere (and not just those taking our money in pubs and shops!)which made our visit so special. We can't wait to return to Weardale for a longer holiday. - Chris and Julie Bates, Birmingham.

SECULARISM

NEITHER terrorist attacks perpetrated by Muslims, nor the oppressive nature of certain so-called "Islamic" regimes, can justify the incitement of prejudice and hatred against Muslims in general.

It is particularly disgraceful that Muslims seeking refuge from oppression have been abused, attacked and even murdered by British racists.

When fanatical elites, religious or otherwise, gain political power, oppression results.

This has happened in several Muslim countries. It has also occurred when atheist dogmatism has become dominant, as in China and the Soviet Union. Christian countries are not immune - the influence of far-right Christian fundamentalism in the US is cause for concern, and it is fortunate that Christian extremists like Peter Mullen and his admirers have little political power in this country, otherwise discrimination and hostility towards other faiths, particularly Islam, could be officially sanctioned.

Secular government (as distinct from institutional atheism) is not incompatible with human rights. Political secularism is, paradoxically, an essential precondition for religious freedom. - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

TONY BLAIR

I AM afraid that I cannot work up much sympathy for the personal stress and family issues hyped by those around Mr Blair as a reason behind his being "on the verge of quitting".

For those personally engaged in, and those who are the tragic victims of the war in Iraq that he got us into, the luxury of quitting is not an option.

Thousands have been killed and are still being killed. They could not quit. Billions of pounds have quit the British taxpayers and the violence and killing continues, all as a consequence of his decision to go to war.

The sympathy he and his advisers are keen to engender, together with the forthcoming much trailed rose-coloured programme about his wife by the emasculated BBC have, cynically and I am afraid typically, more to do with electioneering than with an honest reaction. - Chris Greenwell, Aycliffe Village.