WHILE the deaths of the Durham University students have been tragic, there seems to have been a knee jerk reaction with a call for fencing and lighting along the riverbank, for safe transport for students which includes late buses, an on call £1 trip and arrangements with taxis.

Consideration needs to be given to the whole community. People from Durham and its surrounding villages frequent the city centre for drinks and to meet socially, as they have for many years. At the age of 65, I have had many a night in Durham, without incident other than a few headaches. My niece and her friends continue to frequent Durham, they enjoy their drink, but have to make their own safe arrangements home, without any special measures and any reduced cost. They know to look out for each other and always return home safe. I am sure this is the same for many hundreds, thousands of people every weekend without any major incident.

There have been incidents in the past of people falling in the river but no remedial action has been taken. I am amazed that suddenly there is this outcry, which is only about the university and its student population Can we please have a balanced view and a perspective in relation to the non-student population? Students are meant to be intelligent, responsible people who have the privilege of attending one of the top universities in England. Let us not be spending money and effort on projects unless it is clear that the benefits are for all the communities in and around Durham.

David Bottoms, Durham City.