Sir, - Re the Skerne Bridge (Spectator's Notes, D&S Sept 1).

I find it difficult to decide who has been the most objectionable, Maxwell Hutchinson with his patronizing, dismissive remarks, or Spectator's glib comments that followed. Listing buildings is not easy, it is not indiscriminate and without this system the country would be a far poorer place.

Nobody has come up with a fairer or more excellent method. It is equally a tribute to the magnificence of this bridge that others though it worth to appear on our currency.

However, as Chris Lloyd of The Northern Echo inferred, this present situation does not reflect at all well upon Darlington Borough Council. Of course Spectator has a right to 'dare to say' but one has little confidence in his architectural judgment if he is not even familiar with an architect who has been on the media for years.

Incidentally, they are both wrong as well, the bridge has architectural worth regardless of its historical importance.

IAN DOUGILL

Skerne Studios,

Weir Street,

Darlington.

What balance?

Sir, - I disagree with some of the arguments about Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority membership put forward by Vicki Elcoate, director of the Council for National Parks and Coun Nigel Watson (D&S Aug 25).

Why do both writers claim that the national park planners are seeking a balance when what they clearly intend to create is imbalance?

What the authority tries to create is a rural idyll, devoid of all modern necessities that fail their very simple and shallow aesthetics test; if it's modern and ugly we don't want it.

Where are the power stations, factories and warehouses? Where are the estates of reasonably-priced housing for local residents? Why should the locals' needs - real needs - be eclipsed by outsiders' wants?

It is utterly futile to talk about balance, it simply doesn't exist.

Every single decision the authority makes involves a priority. and as long as they control the building and siting of dwellings and businesses with their idea of a rural idyll as priority then the imbalance simply grows and grows.

It is also something of a smoke screen to talk about balance. All decision makers, be they Prime Ministers, newspaper editors, football club managers, even everyday consumers, have to strike a balance.

To describe your sole intention thus is to avoid the truth.

CHRISTOPHER GEORGE

Melton Avenue,

Leeds.

Welcome home

Sir, - After much discussion, debate and an informative period of consultation, the future of the residential care homes in Darlington has thankfully been decided.

Obviously, residents, their families and local authority staff will still have many concerns, but, I know the independent sector, both private and voluntary, is keen to and will work very closely with the local authority to ensure all the residents are given full support in respect of their choice of home. They will be welcomed very quickly into existing communities.

Colin Morris and his team should be congratulated for taking this stand in respect of the closures. It is only right that residents in their later years should be given the benefit of more modern facilities to live in.

Independent sector homes have been subject to regular inspection over the years which has driven standards up.

The monies that these closure will save the people of Darlington, (almost £1m) will I am sure be of benefit to all the elderly residents in Darlington by allowing additional funding to be available to cover sure things as additional domiciliary care services, cheaper transport etc. and not just benefit the few who are in local authority homes.

JOAN PARSONS

Business Development Manager

Trees Park Village,

Middleton St George,

Darlington