ONE of the saddest developments in the North-East over the past 30 years has been decline of Stockton High Street.

It's only claim to fame now is that it remains the widest High Street in the country. Despite that, few people want to go there now, unless an amusement arcade, charity shop or an under-a-pound emporium is your desire.

The reasons for its decline are complex. Many in the town attribute it to the development of the Teesside Park retail complex over the river in Thornaby. That will not have helped, of course, but it cannot be the sole reason.

More relevant is the general economic decline of the town due to the closure of many of its traditional industrial companies and the consequent failure of Stockton to attract much new business to replace them.

What development there has been has taken place on the other bank of the river so the High Street side has become the poor relation.

The plans unveiled this week may help to address this isolation and link up the High Street with the riverside which is now the town's greatest asset. Few will shed any tears for the monstrosity which is the Swallow Hotel and its adjacent car park and part of the Castlegate shopping centre, which have been earmarked for demolition under the proposed redevelopment.

Recent years have seen many town centres re-invent themselves to cope with the proliferation of out-of-town retail developments. We sincerely hope Stockton's problems will be addressed by this radical scheme.