Letters: Inaction led to flood disaster

Firstly, what happened on the building site on Bankhead Road that caused Bullamoor Road to turn into a raging torrent, and who or what authority was responsible for it?

Secondly, following the flood on Thursday, November 2, the authorities mounted a major clean out of the beck and the drains. But on the proceeding Monday we had floods which were nearly as bad, and it was obvious further heavy rain, which was forecast, would bring a repeat performance. So what were the appropriate authorities doing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday?

Thirdly, the damage on the High Street was made even worse by heavy vehicles ploughing through the water causing three-feet waves. The driver of a Safeway wagon who charged down the road just before 8pm obviously thought it was a huge joke. Why on earth was the road not closed?

I think we should be told.

T GROVER

High Street,

Northallerton.

Man-made crisis

Sir, - Whilst the recent floods have been exceptionally severe, they are not unknown and much of the trouble here in Northallerton appears to be a man-made problem, aggravated by the build up of water in the newer culverted section under the Applegarth car park.

An observation from the footbridge leading to the church, looking towards the High Street, will show that this section of the culvert is as clean as a whistle through self-scouring, whereas inspection from the lower footbridge will indicate that, even now the flood has subsided, the channel is at least three-quarters full of water.

I cannot see self-scouring ever being feasible in this section until the beck is properly cleaned out immediately beyond the Applegarth.

Old illustrations of the area north of the town hall show a swiftly running stream with a main road bridge spanning the present roundabout. Later this was partially culverted and more recently the main length has been piped-in with what should be an adequate system. All this will be of no benefit, however, unless the present bottle neck is removed. How can Sun beck in flood possibly be contained by a restricted culvert and a further drainage ditch which is blocked by tree roots and little more than a metre wide?

A major drainage operation is imperative before the next flood.

T UMPLEBY

Ye Olde Mill House,

Romanby,

Northallerton.

So little Spirit

Sir, - The reported remarks of the Northern Spirit managing director under the heading "Back on track" (report, D&S, Nov 17), regarding "running as many trains as possible" and replacement buses, appear to bear little relation to the facts in so far as the situation which existed at Northallerton (and also Thirsk and Yarm) between November 3 and 13, when no effective service ran whatsoever apart possibly on November 6.

Whilst I accept a succession of problems arose during this period, Northallerton station was effectively closed and there is no evidence of Northern Spirit making any attempt to provide even a limited shuttle service to Darlington, Middlesbrough or York in accordance with which line was open and when.

It was obviously a lot easier for Northern Spirit to run nothing at all rather than be innovative or proactive, particularly with their franchise currently being considered for renewal.

Coupled with an unannounced 9.2pc increase in the price of a "cheap" day return between Northallerton and York last May and correspondence I recently had with the rail passengers committee for North Eastern England which states "...on previous occasions we have had difficulty with Northern Spirit placing stopping orders on its own trains", I wonder if Northern Spirit is really serious in its wish to have its franchise renewed?

The correspondence to which I refer concerned last minute cancellations of trains scheduled to call at Northallerton and the fact that Northern Spirit "non-stop" trains scheduled to pass through the station before the next stopping service were not being detailed to stop in their place in order to reduce inconvenience to intending passengers.

It is questionable whether all these shortcomings place Northern Spirit in breach of their franchise commitment let alone be considered for an extension.

JOHN BUCKLE

Millfield Avenue,

Northallerton.

Cycle madness

Sir, - With regard to information published in the Aiskew Parish Council newsletter of Autumn 2000 concerning proposed cycle paths, I am both worried and annoyed.

The current trend for cycle paths begs the question what cyclists? Hambleton District Council should arrange a rider traffic census outside the civic centre on the newly created cycle path. I doubt if 20 cyclists per day constitutes a need for expensive and wasteful routes.

In relation to the two proposed routes in Aiskew, both cross the A1 bridge and progress into Back Lane. This way has been popular with motorists who want to bypass the seemingly never-ending A684 road works. There is just room for two cars to pass in opposite directions on the way from Back Lane to Sandhill Lane. Suggested route 'A' takes this notional multitude of cyclists from Sandhill Lane over a very busy bend into Hazel Court. This bend is a deathtrap with untrained children cycling the proposed suicide run.

Route B still uses Back Lane and, as with A, cyclists will have to cope with sheep tansporters and other large vehicles servicing local agriculture. From a safety point of view, using route B to divert around this crowded residential area makes greater sense. However, are cycle paths needed just to satisfy a politician's ego trip?

There has been much publicity in recent weeks about motorists fighting back against excessive taxation. If there is a need for cycle paths, I believe that untaxed cyclists should pay for them. Let's say £25 per annum for a tax disc, whatever age.

Come on Aiskew, throw this daft idea into Bedale beck.

A J LEFFEY

Sandhill Lane,

Aiskew.