09/08/04

We must ensure these car users have cheap and accessible designated parking, conveniently placed for access to the shops at both ends of the proposed pedestrian zone.

We need cheap parking for up to four hours at a time, which would enable shoppers to spend time browsing in the town, but would prevent people working in the town from using these spaces for all-day parking.

I think we are losing out because of the short-sighted approach to car parking, as what's the use of making a little more revenue from high parking charges at the expense of the town's retail survival?

This planned new town centre with its extra new shops just will not succeed for anyone with the footfall Darlington has now, and a few lovely spaces or trees or water features, nice as they are, will not be enough to attract and keep more shoppers in the town.

What people also like is a good mix of shops, interesting products, keen pricing and, above all, competitively priced and accessible parking which will not frighten them off from coming here and will allow them enough time to stay and explore our lovely town centre. - Beryl Hankin, Guru Boutique, Darlington.

I Was concerned to read Bob Elliot (Echo, Jul 28) and John Wicks (HAS, Aug 3) take the view that cyclists should be excluded from the pedestrian centre, thereby condemning them to the ring road.

Although irresponsible cycling around pedestrians is unacceptable, research indicates that most cyclists slow down or get off and push their bikes when pedestrian numbers are high, and that the majority of pedestrians were "not bothered" by cyclists.

Any risk of problems can be further reduced by clear signing and arranging the layout carefully.

For three years, Darlington Cycle Forum has assisted the council on cycling matters. We are keen to see even more safe, convenient cycle links which enable travel to - and through - the town centre. It might even encourage more trade - cyclists love a cake and a cup of tea too!

Allowing cyclists properly planned access into the pedestrian heart would send out a clear message that the council is serious in encouraging the use of more sustainable travel - on foot, bicycle and by public transport. The benefits include improved health and activity and reduced congestion and pollution. - Hugh Jackson, Chairman, Darlington Cycle Forum.

MOTOR CYCLISTS

I READ (Echo, Aug 2) that North Yorkshire police are to launch yet another initiative to prevent motorcyclist deaths.

They also claim: "If you misbehave you are likely to get caught". One has only to drive along Bilsdale or Wensleydale at the legal limit on a summer Sunday to realise that the minority of speed-mad motorcyclists don't get caught, as they rapidly disappear into the distance.

These people seem to think that speed limits only apply to other road users. Just having "Speed Camera" signs is not enough, if the cameras are never used.

I use both roads regularly and have never seen any sign of cameras in use. It would be interesting to compare the percentage of motorcycles on our roads which can exceed, say, 140mph with the percentage of cars having the same performance. I am sure the percentage of motorcycles would be much greater. - Eric Gendle, Nunthorpe.

TOURISM

IT was interesting to read John Dean's account of the importance of tourism development to the prosperity of the North-East region.

His article indicates how much is already on offer to national and international tourists.

The fact that One NorthEast has taken control of the development of tourism could be very significant. One of the first things to be done is to start to promote the region as "The North-East" rather than the misleading "Northumbria".

Whilst the historic kingdom of Northumbria may live in some people's minds, it sounds too close to "Northumberland" to satisfactorily promote the whole region. - Peter Wilson, Barnard Castle.

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

AS he so often does, Peter Mullen predicted that "the politically correct brigade" who "hate the traditional English way of life" and "who will do anything to advance their vile cause" would immediately dismiss him as a racist.

The funny thing is that no one, as far as I know, has ever called him a racist. Why is he so desperate for this particular badge?

EA Moralee joins the chorus: "The politically correct brigade will bay like wolves and thirst for blood as they always do whenever anyone dares speak out." (HAS, Aug 2).

Has anyone actually come across one of these mythical monsters? - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

I AM writing primarily in response to the letter by Dave Pascoe (HAS, Aug 5). I fail to see how a regional assembly will detract or devalue democracy in the UK and North-East.

Surely it will increase the power of the electorate in our region with large development agencies such as One NorthEast becoming accountable to a North-East assembly and thus to the local electorate.

Furthermore, with key decisions increasingly made in our region by a regional assembly, then we should see a renewed interest in politics.

Indeed, we have seen many reports, by such bodies as the Electoral Commission and the Hansard Society, highlighting the electorate as increasingly alienated and out of touch with politics in the UK.

An assembly would bring us closer to that process of decision making and give us greater say for change in the North-East. - Andrew Shorey, Heaton.

I CANNOT understand how some can describe an assembly as reducing democracy in the North-East.

An assembly would mean that the institutions that currently steer our region, such as One NorthEast, the current unelected North-East assembly and the Government Office, become accountable to the electorate.

At present, these organisations have significant powers but ultimately no responsibility. This is undemocratic!

Surely, the people of the North-East should have a say in how our region is run? An assembly would give power back to the people of the North-East, helping us to control the bureaucracy that already exists in our region. - John Steel, Jesmond.