Sir, - I have followed the reports in your newspaper with regard to the possible closure of the minor roads crossing the A19 north of Crathorne.

It is obvious that such crossings are not safe for a dual carriageway with a 70mph speed limit. In the long term, bridges over the dual carriageway are required.

Why not keep the roads as they are until such a project can be afforded but in the meanwhile reduce the A19 speed limit to 50mph in the area of the junctions. This should also be the case for all such junctions. Add speed cameras too.

I have observed that on the A19 north of the Hartlepool junction and on the A66 west of Stockton there are stretches of the roads with some cross-over junctions having notices to "please slow down" but the actual speed limit is still 70mph. These areas need to be reduced to 50mph immediately!

Ironically on the A66 between Yarm Road, Stockton and Middlesbrough the speed limit is 50mph with no such cross-over junctions. The speed limit should be 70mph.

P FLETCHER

Retired consulting engineer

Fairfield,

Stockton-on-Tees.

Make it safe

Sir, - Last Friday the D&S published a front-page report which included criticism of the Highways Agency's plans to close the gap in the central reservation of the A19 at the Black Swan junction. That same day I witnessed a horrific near- accident on that stretch of the A19.

Two hundred yards ahead of me an articulated unit pulling a trailer loaded with an agricultural vehicle came out of a field exit and, moving at less than 10mph, it made its way across the northbound carriageway towards an opening in the central reservation.

For a few seconds it created a 15-metre barrier across the A19. Sixty or seventy metres away from it in the outside lane of the carriageway there was a car travelling at 70mph.

I fully expected to see the car smash into the trailer as it was far too close for the brakes to have an effect, but in a piece of driving that was reminiscent of a James Bond movie, the driver of the car swerved across into the near side lane, straightened up in the farm exit, drove across the grass verge and managed to return his car to the road.

Thanks to the reaction of the driver and the advanced braking system of his car an accident was averted, but the result could easily have been very different and you could have been reporting the fifth fatality on that length of road in five years.

I am one of the thousands of people who use the A19 every day and we all have a right to travel in safety. I support proposals which will have that effect.

TREVOR MITCHELL

North End,

Osmotherley.

Richmond's thanks

Sir, - I am writing to say a very big thank-you to the volunteers from Richmond Pride who have made such an amazing impact on Castle Walk over two recent weekends.

Two Sundays running have seen them absailing from the trees to clear the incredible piles of rubbish off this incredible site. We collected over 80 bags of rubbish, a mattress, sinks, a fireplace and many more pieces of metal and building rubble.

The newly cleared walk is ready for the coming tourist season and residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy the "lost" views.

A special Mayor's Merit Mark goes to 10-year old Ben Cain who put most of us to shame with his fearless work on the ropes!

Many thanks to everyone concerned - a much-needed clear up has taken place and yet again we have made a massive difference.

STUART PARSONS

Mayor of Richmond,

Town Hall,

Richmond.

Homes found

Sir, - I am writing to thank the Darlington & Stockton Times for helping to raise awareness of the need to find loving homes for greyhounds.

Following your report "Race to find homes for retired (sedate) greyhounds" by Carolyn Thorpe (D&S, Jan 9), two local people contacted me - with the result that Rosie, a beautiful brindle and white bitch, aged 3, and Lance, a very friendly brindle dog, aged 4, are now living a happy retirement in domestic bliss.

Retired greyhounds really are perfect pets. Contrary to popular misconceptions, away from the track they are gentle couch potatoes, making loyal and loving companions. Most only require two short walks a day and are just as well suited to families as they are to individuals.

Of course, there is an ongoing need to find homes for other retired greyhounds. If any of your readers are considering a greyhound as a pet or would like further information, I can be contacted on 01845 526024.

KAREN FRASER

North Yorkshire Retired Greyhound Trust,

Thirsk.

www.communigate.co.uk/ryedale/northyorkshirergt

Cheap licence

Sir, - You reported (D&S, Mar 19) that the officers of Hambleton District Council had negotiated a licence fee for the Northallerton May Fair of £7,400 with the Showman's Guild, and you also reported (D&S, Feb 20) that the parish councillors as trustees of the Memorial Land Trust at Stokesley had negotiated a fee of £5,000 for the fair to be held at Stokesley.

The amusement fair held at the time of the annual Stokesley Show in September each year is regarded by the fairground operators as one of the premier venues and yet the trustees of the High Street ground have seemingly settled to accept only two thirds of the amount the fairground operators pay for the ground at Northallerton.

R W BARKER

Lady Cross Farm,

Stokesley.

Flawed report

Sir, - The report by the officer of Richmondshire District Council used as the basis for discussion to close Richmond Sports Centre at the meeting on January 13, was inaccurate and also neglected to include other information required to make an informed judgment.

It stated that the fabric of the building needed major investment, especially the roof. The building has been surveyed, and I suggest no major investment is required. The roof trusses, walls and floor are in very good condition, and the building has many years of useful life.

There is also the question of what will happen to the thousands of pounds worth of sports equipment in the centre if it closes. This equipment was paid for by Richmondshire taxpayers.

The suggestion that Colburn and Brompton private sports centres can accommodate the 250 people a week that use Richmond Sports Centre when it closes is not true. Both centres are partly booked during day and neither is available after 5pm for evening play.

The district council should be considered guilty of serious maladministration in the way it has handled this matter. I hope, at this late stage, it will reconsider.

The local government ombudsman's phone number is 01904 380200. Forms will be sent to you if you wish to make a complaint.

R HUDSON

The Ghyll,

Richmond.