LEFT Northallerton in 1974 for job reasons. At that time, the main street was living hell, parking was at a premium and market days were to be avoided.

The biggest problem of all was when the annual fair visited and clogged the streets, yet traffic was kept running. Accidents were a regular thing.

I returned for a holiday 35 years later and nothing has changed. The parking is, if anything, worse and visiting the market for me, as a disabled driver, was a definite no-no.

Northallerton is a town with great potential for a well organised traffic system, yet it has never been acted upon.

There are two roads running parallel to each other which would make a perfect one-way system.

Alternatively, the High Street could be “halved” (I’ve never come across another town which allows tractors hauling loads of manure down its main street at peak times). This would make access available only for genuine shoppers.

It would also force traffic to travel via the prison and leave High Street for the shoppers.

Other parking could easily be catered for in Applegarth.

I am not a local now, but for heaven’s sake, do something before the situation eventually drives all visitors away and trade dies.

Alan Dick, Brooke, Norwich.