A DEFICIENCY in Darlington’s bus services is the absence of a bus stop on Victoria Road outside Sainsbury’s supermarket.

This makes it awkward, if not impossible, for people who do not own a car to do substantial shopping at Sainbury’s without incurring the expense of a taxi.

Putting a bus stop there would obviously require construction of a lay-by to avoid disruption of traffic.

Perhaps Sainsbury’s could be persuaded to cover the cost?

The best arrangement would be to have a covered walkway linking the sheltered bus stop to the store to allow shopping trollies to be taken to the bus stop.

This would allow safe allweather pedestrian access and be of particular help to the elderly and disabled, especially in the winter.

There would also be the benefits of more town centre trade and reduced car traffic through increased use of buses.

Name and address supplied.