Sir, - As an ardent walker who needs to recharge her batteries away from the traffic and noise of everyday life, the mere thought of off-road motorcyclists and drivers in national parks makes my blood boil.

Is there no place we can get away from cars and motorbikes? There should be some areas where there is no harassment by vehicles or motorbikes. Too much space in this country is already given to motorised traffic, keep some areas totally free for people to walk in.

Motorised noise is another nuisance that a walker does not like to put up with; trail bikes are very noisy, and I know as I live close to a trail bike track. Surely, when Mr Hunter suggests (D&S, May 17)off-road motorcycling as a way of developing young people, he can only be talking about those children rich enough to afford such a bike, who are usually not the ones who need a helping hand.

Cross country running/walking might be a better alternative.

GUDRUN GAUDIAN

Alne,

York.

Sign overload

Sir, - Over the past few months in Thirsk, the county council highways department has been erecting signs indicating slippery road ahead. Some entrances to the town have only recently received this accolade.

There does appear to be some correlation between the laying of the anti-skid surfaces and the erection of these signs! Motorists need to be aware that the most dangerous road is between Town End and the railway station (.7 of a mile). Here there are no fewer than nine of these signs (four inbound, and five outbound). As there are now in excess of 120 traffic signs between the entrance to Carlton Miniott and Thirsk perhaps nine more is hardly a significant proportion.

Maybe this is an attempt to restrain motorists from gazing in wonderment at the encircling web of pylons around the town.

Readers please bear in mind the cost of all this largely unnecessary street furniture the next time the local authorities tell the taxpayers they haven't enough money to pay for salting and gritting roads or repairing footpaths.

L G TWISS

Barbeck,

Thirsk.

Bigger and better

Sir, - As one of the organisers of the Dales Festival of Food and Drink, I read with interest the comments of Mr Christopher Kirk (D&S, May 24.

It is good to know that Mr and Mrs Kirk enjoyed the event overall and I can assure them that their constructive comments will be taken into account for next year's festival which we will strive to make as pleasant an experience as possible for everyone.

We plan to make the event bigger, if only to accommodate the large number of people (about 15,000 this year) who we hope will turn up again next May Day bank holiday. However, we are mindful of the need to retain the friendly and intimate atmosphere which was evidently enjoyed by so many people.

GERALD HODGSON

Spennithorne,

Leyburn.

Happy days ahead

Sir, - Thank you Victoria Ellis for your review (D&S, May 24) of the new Ordnance Survey maps.

I shall now have to save up and replace my originals that are now rather battered from over-use. One of my favourite pastimes is to read a map, select a route and then off I go. Sadly, last year this was severely curtailed, but now I can pull on my boots, swing my ruck sack over my shoulder and Falderi, Faldera.

Like Nicholas Rhea, I love the sound of the song thrush though I doubt that it is celebrating the birth of its offspring. Rather it is a threat to other thrushes that would translate along these lines. "This is my territory matey and if you so much as stick your scrawny neck over the boundary I'll peck yer eyes out!"

CHRIS HOWELLS

Victoria Avenue,

Sowerby,

Thirsk.