Sir, - I refer to the proposed development of the Thirsk auction mart at the junction of Blakey Lane and the Thirsk bypass.

My neighbour, Mike Whybrow, pointed out (D&S, Sept 12) the problems that will occur if no restrictions are placed on access from the Sowerby end of Blakey Lane. There are, however, further possible problems to be taken in to account.

Will there be enough space allowed for cattle wagons to pull in to the mart off Blakey Lane with no wagons queuing on the road, which is not the case at the moment on Station road?

If the wagons are allowed to queue on the road, the problems this will lead to could cause chaos.

We will have wagons coming from Easingwold trying to turn left off the A19, wagons coming from the Masham area having come through Thirsk trying to turn right off the A19 into Blakey Lane and wagons coming from the north queuing on the slip road from the bypass. Accidents regularly occur here.

Added to this will be wagons from Topcliffe, Dishforth and Ripon coming down to the Thircon roundabout. Problems will quickly multiply if there is queuing traffic on Blakey Lane as this is the HGV route from Thirsk industrial estate.

Then, if mart traffic in the form of four-wheel drive vehicles and trailers is allowed down Blakey Lane from Sowerby, these vehicles will cause tailbacks into Sowerby. Unless the road is widened the aforementioned HGV wagons will not be able to access the slip road up to the Thirsk by-pass.

There must be sufficient space to pull all anticipated cattle wagons off the approach roads before planning permission is granted.

MALCOLM PARNABY

Blakey Close,

Sowerby,

Thirsk

The solution

Sir, - Whenever anyone proposes something that enhances the amenities of Thirsk, some whinger (like Mr Whybrow, D&S letters Sept 12) complains either about the effect on traffic flow or parking.

The solution to his (and my) problem is simple - close Blakey bridge to traffic one way out of Sowerby, and place height and width restrictions on the road in.

I do wish the highway authority was as ready with action on this long running problem, as they are with excuses for doing nothing about it!

The proposal to relocate the Thirsk mart to the A19 gives the opportunity (which the Thirsk Farmers Market Company seems willing to seize with both hands) to provide a development that will enhance amenity, employment and training activities.

The tie-up with Askham Bryan College is an imaginative masterstroke, and I hope that Thirsk will follow the lead of the Skipton mart to its logical conclusion.

They have, with help from Barrie Rutter's Northern Broadsides Theatre Company, secured a full theatre licence for the premises. There were some doubts there on account of the smell, but the actors have promised the farmers that they will wash more often!

CHRISTOPHER M PURSER

St Oswald's House,

Sowerby,

Thirsk.

Good idea

Sir, - I would like to offer my support to Coun Andrew Robinson, (D&S letters Sept 12), and his quest to gain support for a crematorium for the Hambleton district.

Three years ago, at the millennium, the powers that be were asking for projects which would be beneficial to the community in the next century. A project like this would be an asset to the whole community and should be followed up with zest.

Also in the same issue. I see complaints about the re-location of the Thirsk auction mart to a site located between the A168 Thirsk bypass, the A19 York road and the slip road to the bypass called Blakey Lane.

This site now consists of a range of derelict farm buildings which would be cleared if the site was developed.

This site is ideal for such use as it can be accessed from all directions on major roads without any of the heavy traffic needing to travel through Thirsk market place and should go ahead without delay.

T BARKER

Byland Avenue,

Thirsk.

Action please

Sir, - I have just read your report (D&S, Sept 12) on the silt islands in the beck below Finkle Street bridge, Thirsk.

The final remarks by someone from the drainage board to the effect that the work would be purely cosmetic is an insult to the people of Thirsk.

Please let us have some common sense from someone or, better still, some action.

W R WARD

Hambleton Close,

Thirsk