Sir, - For many retired people and keen walkers, the loss of access to the footpaths in the open countryside around our towns as a result of the threat caused by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is bad enough. Ramblers have been reduced to walking on roads or on beaches for the duration of the crisis, and they must be thankful that there are beaches within easy reach which are still open to all.

But what would be worse, much worse, would be if the loss was not just of access to the open countryside, but the loss of the countryside itself.

We take the countryside around our towns, Darlington, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Billingham, Hartlepool, Redcar, Saltburn, Stokesley and Yarm for granted, probably unaware that it is under continuous threat from developers who are buying up farms in the hope of turning them into housing estates, industrial parks or shopping malls. This threat is real and it will continue until planners and local councils do something about it. Just think for a moment how much expansion there has been round these towns in the last 25 years.

Local councils seem to think that creating "green wedges" between existing built-up areas gives enough protection, yet experience should show that this is far from the truth. The only effective way of stopping the continuing urban sprawl, and regenerating the run-down and derelict parts of our towns, is to stop developers using up our open countryside. Once it has gone, it has gone forever. Government needs to be persuaded that a green belt should be established around Teesside and Darlington.

This has already been done around York and Tyneside, and the countryside around our towns is at least as attractive as that around Tyneside so it deserves the same standard of protection.

Our area has for too long been seen as a poor relation of Tyneside, and it is now surely the time to stand up for our environment. With an inquiry into the Tees Valley structure plan about to start, the timing could not be better.

HAROLD FLEMING

Worsall Road,

Yarm.

Hot air

Sir, - I find it incredible that the Hon Harry Orde-Powlett sees any merit in filling in Shawl Quarry with industrial and domestic waste.

What makes him think that Leyburn needs lighting up? Our County Coun Mike Childs, I and many others, have fought to bring Leyburn's Shawl into public ownership because it is good for the town, good for recreation, and good for Wensleydale.

The people of Leyburn will stop this folly in its tracks because the town's livelihood depends on tourism, and not methane gas created by the Bolton Estate.

I have always assumed that certain people in society have a duty towards the countryside and future generations. I am very fortunate to be able to claim that the efforts of my forebears in this respect have lasted for 600 years and are still going strong. Perhaps the Boltons would care to think along those lines.

BERNARD BORMAN

Brentwood,

Leyburn.

l More Letters to the Editor on page 22