TORRINGTONS SITE: THE proposed £60m development of the former Torringtons site in east Darlington is very welcome, especially the jobs it will create after the shock news of a major factory in the west of the town closing down.

However, it has to be tempered with the realisation that the roads in this area simply cannot cope with the current traffic loadings.

Once the new retail park is built, this may shortly be followed by the new east Darlington industrial estate academy school, which possibly replaces Hurworth and Eastbourne comprehensive schools.

As a result, Yarm Road and McMullen Road and the A66 bypass will just grind to a halt.

The extra school busses, vehicle delivery lorries, airport shuttle busses, shop workers and teachers' cars will create traffic mayhem.

Surely this is the final nail in the coffin of developing a new school smack bang in the most unsuitable location one could ever propose?

I note that the new retail park will have two fast food outlets.

These will supplement KFC and MacDonalds, which are also located within walking distance of the proposed new school.

Given that Hurworth pupils are currently allowed out of school at dinner time, then the east Darlington pupils who attend the new academy will no doubt head straight across Yarm Road and McMullen Road straight for these fast food joints to gorge themselves on exactly the wrong types of food you would want healthy young persons to digest.

Is this the reason they are all choosing to congregate there?.

Alan Milburn, the former government health minister, could perhaps comment on the proliferation of fast food outlets locating to this area. - Mark Anderson, Middleton St George.

TRAFFIC PROBLEMS

DRIVING into Darlington via Haughton Road always has congestion.

I have a suggestion - at the McMullen Road junction, why not let traffic filter left, coming into town.

I realise the lanes would be narrow, but could be staggered to allow large vehicles access.

I welcome a comment. - Jeff Wragg, Darlington.

HIGH ROW

THE campaign to save High Row still continues and may well end up in court.

The director of development has said that, even if the local government ombudsman recommends that there should be a public meeting and/or a referendum, there will be no public meeting and there will be no referendum.

This is what passes for democracy in Darlington in 2005.

Earlier this month we commemorated and remembered those who had given their lives so that the people would have the right to choose.

New blood is needed.

Where are the voices of the local historians such as Chris Lloyd and George Flynn?

Griff Rhys Jones has been asked to take an interest in what is going on here in Darlington and it is hoped that he will do so. - John W Antill, Darlington.