AUTUMN is here with its delightfully clear crisp mornings and the crunch of dead leaves underfoot.

To celebrate this pre- Christmas season it is traditional for those at the tiller in Darlington to organise, nay encourage, the annual archaeological digs that serve to block the roads and thus the progress of the eager out-oftown shopper to its commercial centre.

It is customary, each year, to perform this vital function on all of the major approach routes at this time, but I see only plucky Yarm Road has entered into the seasonal spirit so far.

Come on you road diggers, let’s have North Road, West Auckland Road and Whessoe Road dug up to restrain drivers who gamely try to spend their money in Darlington’s shops.

Chris Greenwell, Darlington.