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SIR - Julie Aberdeen (Unjust Tax Rise, March 23) referred to the community house established by Durham City Council as part of its activities under the Single Regeneration Budget. Ms Aberdeen states that 'outside workers' are adding to problems by parking on grass verges and churning up the ground.

Three of the five workers live in Ushaw Moor, while one comes from Esh Winning. They do live and work in the area and as such have a commitment to its continued improvement. Workers originally parked on the verge in response to requests from residents not to obstruct the road. However, the damage this was causing was brought to the attention of city council members and plans were drawn up to tarmac and improve this area. These will be carried out in the near future and I trust Ms Aberdeen will be heartened.

The Single Regeneration Budget scheme is subject to both widespread and frequent public meetings. This has resulted in many successful projects in the three villages covered by it. Meetings are widely advertised in shops and mailing lists. On average 40 local people attend these on a regular basis. A newsletter is sent out four times a year to every home and a review of the third year of operation will be out soon for public comment. The SRB team works closely with many committed volunteers and organisations and has brought about significant improvements in the villages of Bearpark, New Brancepeth and Ushaw Moor. As the director with responsibility for regeneration, I would like to express my thanks to all concerned, including the SRB team for their hard work, commitment and support. This is a successful partnership between the council and its constituents and long may it continue.

John Jennings, Director of Environmental Services

Transport trouble

SIR - Like the lady who wrote about cutting the Arriva service to York Crescent, we have the same problem in Raby Road. After complaining about the second time Arriva changed the route, we had a letter from the customer service manager stating that they were going to improve the service of the 66.

Now we don't have a 66 service at all. We relied on this service along with the rest of the people in our streets. Surely there must be some transport to cover this area? The elderly and young mothers who do not have any transport deserve a local bus to get them to the local shops.

Mrs S Strachan, Durham

So disappointing

SIR - What a disappointment the new Durham Millennium square and its buildings are. The open space is sterile - three benches stuck in a row, looking at nothing. Where is the sculpture that could have been a focus? Where are the plants and shrubs? On a more prosaic note, where are the litterbins and cigarette receptacles? Do we really need to look into the office space of the library staff? Surely an attractive window display would have been better.

The theatre foyer and bar area are floored in an attractive stone except that it is already badly marked with food and drink stains. Who considered how it would be cleaned?

This project could have been wonderful - a new library and theatre are just what Durham needs - but it is marred by lack of forethought and attention to detail.

Hilary Westwell, Durham

Tax is punishing

SIR - With reference to the letter Tax is value for money (You Write, April 6) from Mick Bennett of the Durham City Labour Group, he seems to be singing the praises of the Labour Party when he mentions the new hospital. Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't it build using private funding and not public money? He also mentions the CCTV system in Durham City where the operators now spend time playing spot the policeman on the beat.

If only he could get his head out of the Labour Party's bottom for a new minutes he would see that the council tax increase has wiped out half of the pensioners' winter fuel allowance which he says gives them less to worry about.

There are charges to park a car in Durham City, the new hospital and the police headquarters; seems to me the only place for free parking is the Durham County Hall car park.

He says that Durham City residents benefit from Labour's policies at national and local level. Perhaps at times we do, but is it right to charge such a punitive tax to live in a house? Council tax bears no relationship to a person's ability to pay, but only to the value of the property in which they live.

When will politicians and political thinkers of all levels and parties stand back far enough from the decisions they are making, look at the results and how people are affected then accept their failures along with their successes?

Bernie Valks, Durham Cit