Sir, - Mr Lamont raises an interesting point (D&S letters, Feb 22) when he suggests that the "intellectual giants of the Richmondshire District Council" should consider relocating to the old railway station.

Until recently this was the home of a thriving garden centre. It was forced to move out as the council, in its wisdom, did not consider that its usage as a gardening and DIY centre complied with the Local Plan, which designates this part of Richmond for leisure activities.

I am sure the council would have no difficulty convincing the electorate that its activities are covered by this requirement of the Local Plan.

J D ROBERTSON

Westfields,

Richmond.

Bridge worry

Sir, - I do hope that the comparison between the Blakey Bridge at Sowerby and Creet's Bridge at Kirkby Malzeard is not going to be pushed too far. The Sowerby bridge provides a convenient route for the village, but it is emphatically not the only main road in or out.

The problem is not only heavy traffic damaging the structure by illegally ignoring weight and width restrictions, but the conflict on the narrow approach lanes with no footpath between motor traffic and pedestrians. Widening the bridge (were it to be feasible, which I doubt) would make it wider than the roads it connects, and add to the problems.

Blakey Lane and the bridge in question are too convenient already as a rat run for commuters to and from the A19 and A168 trunk roads, and what is needed is a system of speed as well as width restrictions to at the very least stop this from getting any worse. Even if the cost of repeated repairs to an ancient and historic bridge were not an issue, the interests of other road users than speeding motorists would still make these steps worthwhile.

CHRISTOPHER M PURSER

Sowerby

Thirsk

Support hostels

Sir, - The Upper Wensleydale Business and Tourism Association is very concerned to hear that there is the possibility of closing several youth hostels in the Yorkshire Dales, including Linton and Kettlewell, in Wharfedale and at Aysgarth.

More than 20 hostels nation-wide are on a list for closure. The decision will be made on March 9.

The Aysgarth hostel normally has 7,000 bed nights a year, and makes a profit, but last year had only about 2,600 owing to the foot-and-mouth crisis. The loss of many bed nights in an area will have serious effects on local food shops, caf and pubs, as well as visitor attractions. This in turn has serious effects on jobs in an area which is struggling to get back to normal after FMD. We need to have a wide range of accommodation available.

Youth hostels introduce young people and others, who have a modest budget, to an area. These are people who come as school groups, individuals, or as families to enjoy the national park and the walks.

I hope everybody who has experienced hostels, and especially Aysgarth, will lobby the headquarters of the Youth Hostel Association before March 9.

K M EMPSALL,

Chairman, Upper Wensleydale Business and Tourism Association,

Helm,

Askrigg.