Sir, - It is unique in the history of the River Tees that two new bridges are proposed to span it at the same time, both pedestrian and both highly controversial.

The lower Tees bridge at Stockton, with its snake-like profile, has become an issue because of the crass mismanagement of a democratic exercise whereby the public choice was ignored (D&S Dec 5). The upper Tees rope bridge upstream of Barnard Castle has become an issue because it is not the way to anywhere that people want to be.

In the spirit of Christmas I propose a compromise. It is that the bridges should be swopped. The rope bridge at Stockton would complete an interesting trio of bridges, the others being the Transporter at Port Clarence and the lifting (no longer) bridge at Newport.

The snake bridge at Barnard Castle, whilst still not going anywhere would by means of its profile add a stimulating form to the gorge it would span. Alternatively, it could be located somewhere more useful supplementing the single lane bridge over the river in the town proper.

A third unresolved problem is the renaming of the airport, roughly mid-way between the two bridges. So perhaps pride could be satisfied by naming the upper bridge the Durham-Tees Valley Bridge and the lower, the Teesside-Tees Valley Bridge, allowing the airport the dignity of justly retaining its name established over half-a-century ago of Teesside International Airport.

Happy Christmas.

FRANKLIN MEDHURST

Greystone,

Carlton,

Stockton-on-Tees.

Confusion

Sir, - It is hardly surprising to read about the controversy re the proposed renaming of Teesside Airport.

Ever since the early Sixties when the North Riding of Yorkshire was disbanded, this area has suffered an identity crisis.

Initially the conurbations on the Tees were combined as Teesside. Not much later this was abandoned and Cleveland County Council was formed.

After initial struggles this county council did look, to some of us at least, that it was becoming reasonably efficient when it too was split into four boroughs one of which was amazingly called "Redcar and Cleveland". It is not just the airport that needs a new name.

Where are Middlesbrough or Yarm? I recently was asked for directions to "Middlesbrough, Cleveland " by a delivery driver who had turned off the main road to this village - Carlton-in-Cleveland. Presumably he thought it was hidden away somewhere in the green fields.

The latter has been so named for centuries , is firmly in North Yorkshire and yet has an official postal address of Middlesbrough which many think is still in Cleveland.

The national news have been reporting the murder in Cleveland being investigated by "Cleveland Police" in Redcar.

I believe it will be of much benefit to business and tourism if an effective new name can evolve but it must be done with the most thorough consideration. Who thinks of Redcar or Hartlepool as being in a valley? "Tees Valley" must be a non- starter.

MICHAEL AKESTER

Carlton-in-Cleveland,

Nr Stokesley.

Not so simple

Sir, - In his letter (D&S, Dec 12), Andrew Reid is plainly confident that a bridge over the North End crossing of Northallerton is desirable and will cause little trouble.

He may well be right, but I wonder just where the proposed bridge might start its journey both from the north end of the town and from Darlington Road.

Surely a level crossing bridge would need a relatively long gentle approach gradient to traverse the said crossing, anything less must make for a very sudden and steep climb.

The bridge over the line along Yafforth Road is a fair example. Quite rightly Mr Reid points out the problems of egress by the essential services via the North End gates, however he among others, fails to mention the people who live south of the town.

Although all of the talk has been about a bridge at North End, nothing has been said about the problems created by the crossings at Boroughbridge Road and at Romanby, both of which cause almost identical gridlock problems (all three gates opening and closing more or less at the same time).

In summary, a solution of a bridge or bridges is not quite so simple as it might appear and surely more consultation and thought is required.

TONY EATON

Turker Lane,

Northallerton.