Hear All Sides

Before the onset of pedestrianisation, we could catch our bus outside the covered market and be home in four minutes. Now, we have to walk to the bottom of Tubwell Row.

The bus has to force its way out on to the Parkgate roundabout in rush-hour traffic and around the Ringroad then back onto Coniscliffe Road from Grange Road. All this to avoid running along Blackwellgate.

All this has made our bus times so erratic that we have finally given up the struggle and now go by car to town, contributing to those car parking figures.

If the council had laid paved busways without kerbs, as Newcastle has already done, along Bondgate and Blackwellgate we would still have bus stops in useful central locations.

The whole thing seems a lacklustre solution to the town centre problems. Instead of making it more difficult for bus users the council should be encouraging people out of their cars before the roads of Darlington finally strangle themselves to a standstill. - Peter Singlehurst, Darlington.

UNSAFE STOPS: WHEN someone had the bright idea of moving some of the bus stops from Bondgate to outside pubs in Tubwell Row, did they not think of the safety of the public?

Myself and my partner frequently used and supported the bus service. However, twice throughout November I have felt uneasy stood at the bus stop, due to being surrounded by drunken yobs who have been coming out of the pub.

I will no longer get on a bus on my own as I simply do not feel safe especially when it's dark. I know I'm not the only one, as other people I have spoken to have said similar things.

I was initially in support of the proposed schemes to the changes to Darlington town centre, but not any longer, things are turning into a shambles, both for traders and the general public. - Miss V Hulmes, Darlington

PEDESTRIANISATION: THE grand council scheme is supposed to be "pedestrianisation" but, in reality, is it?

Take High Row, that landmark feature which distinguishes Darlington from any other town, for example. The steps, balustrades and railings will be torn out, the highway raised to the same level as the pavement adjoining the shops and paved.

But then a kerb or step is to be provided so as to mark the carriageway from the footpath. There will be vehicles of one class or another having access to High Row throughout the day.

The traffic is below the pavement but, when the scheme is completed, it will be on the same level as the pavement separated from it by a small step which it will be easy to run over whether by accident or design.

Pedestrians on the pavement will be in greater danger of being hit by a vehicle.

According to "Murphy's Law" - if a thing can go wrong, it will - so we have an accident waiting to happen!

To gain access to and egress from High Row, traffic will have to go along Blackwellgate and Bondgate where the same danger of conflict will arise. Paragraph 32 of the Report to the Cabinet on November 16, 2004, said: "One of the main concerns relates to retaining the character and heritage of the town, maintaining a sense of place and responding to the features that typify Darlington." Improve High Row do not remove High Row - there is time to change the scheme - do it now - John W Antill, Darlington.

ROAD MODIFICATIONS: WHEN writing a political comment (HAS, Dec 2), it is important to be in possession of the facts, not the perceived situation.

Simon McDonald need not trouble himself in trying to arbitrate between the controlling group and any opposition councillors, with his ill advised comments, it is difficult enough trying to do this in the council chamber.

All major roads leading into the town centre have suffered, and will continue to suffer, congestion at heavily used junctions. This is not caused by road repairs in the main, but a programme of modifications to slim down traffic flows in line with regional and government policy, resulting in many cases with too much traffic for the road space available.

Regarding West End roads, whether major or minor, we would like, and hope, to take our turn within a strictly-controlled road maintenance programme. Residents in these wards are patient, knowing full well that they pay by far the highest council tax per capita in Darlington which helps support other areas less fortunate. - Councillor Ron Lewis.

POLLUTION: A recent fire at a scrapyard on Albert Hill was described as non-dangerous.

The smell in the town was horrendous that day and my wife and I had to come back to Cockerton.

To say that burning tyres, PVC cabling, brake fluid, anti-freeze, petrol and diesel, the many more products dumped there are non-hazardous is irresponsible.

There is no point in blaming cigarette smoke on lung problems when this pollution is spewed out on regular occasions by various sources. - John Barr, Darlington.

MUSIC PLEASE: HAVING just read articles in The Northern Echo in connection with Darlington markets, I would like to pass on my comments.

The market needs livening up with a music stall, as at Catterick market. I love to visit that market, it's so lively. If there was piped popular music that would give Darlington market some life.

At other times when there is no market on the market place is a large empty square, with no atmosphere. It is screaming out for a fountain, seating and trees. - Kath Calvert, Darlington.