CABBIE DISCORD

AREN'T we lucky in Darlington to have such musically-minded taxi drivers?

It may be 2am or 3am, but these dedicated musicians will still entertain you by blasting out the 1812 Overture on their horns and, if the passenger is not out in ten seconds, they can play the entire top 20.

I live in a quiet cul-de-sac where sound echoes. To be up early in the morning to start work, I must go to bed early. How nice it is for these people to stop me doing something stupid like dropping off to sleep.

When questioned as to why they don't pull up at the house and tap on the door, the response is: "What? Use my legs? Why do you think we have horns?"

The Highway Code states that you do not blow your horn at night, or when you are stationary. Are taxi drivers exempt?

I believe drivers in Newcastle are fined for doing this. Take note, licensing authority, do the same and let us all get some sleep. - R "Sugar" Marshall, Darlington.

PS. I am a taxi driver of more than 15 years' standing, who has never blown his horn.

TRUNK ROADS

THE borough council is to be commended over its "let's get cracking" programme of road improvements in Darlington.

There is one road, however, which has remained virtually untouched for the past 25 years and is likely to be the responsibility of the Department for Transport.

The A6072 runs north to Shildon and has recently claimed the life of a car driver and seen a bus driver seriously injured, along with a number of passengers.

I use the road every day, and recall the building of the bypass to Heighington and the construction of the roundabout junction with the A68 about 25 years ago.

The 600 metres of road between has remained largely untouched since.

The alignments between the old and the new have been "temporary" for the past 25 years and anyone walking or cycling along that section takes an enormous risk.

Roads do not cause accidents, but a section which is out of character in that it floods and is uneven must contribute to a driver's misjudgement.

Perhaps someone can let us know when this forgotten section of road will be brought up to the standard of the remainder of the road network. - AY Wilkinson, Darlington.

PEDESTRIANISATION QUESTION

When is a pedestrian precinct not a pedestrian precinct?

Answer: When cyclists are allowed to zigzag to and fro, wheeling around unnerved pedestrians to the great danger of injuring the elderly and infirm among us in Darlington town centre.

What will it take for the borough council to ban all cyclists from the pedestrian areas? It must be only a matter of time before a serious accident, or even a fatality, takes place.

Please let us have some action on this tragedy waiting to happen. - Phil Sefton, Darlington.