Sir, - In reply to Mr Garbutt's letter (D&S Jan 9), Long Street has always been a commercial street.

A tyre service centre was formerly located in what is now a domestic dwelling towards the southern end and the recent purpose-built premises Mr Garbutt refers to were built on land previously occupied by a second-hand car sales and van hire business.

Further up Long Street, the motorcycle business is located in what originally was a brewery and has previously been occupied by an ambulance repair garage, a furniture restoration company and a number of second-hand car dealers. The fuel station further up on the other side of the mini-roundabout has been there for a number of years, as has the second-hand car showroom on the opposite side of the road.

The motorcycle showroom is in premises previously occupied by everything from a blacksmith, a car showroom, an art gallery and more recently a pet food business.

All of the above mentioned businesses have obviously put a great deal of time and effort as well as expense into the appearance of their premises and I am sure pay a lot into local funds in the way of business rates for the privilege of being located on Long Street.

With all of the above taken into account, I feel sure the easiest and probably cheapest way to improve Long Street would be to redevelop the derelict garage and adjacent cottages and to stop wasting public money drawing up plans and having meeting after meeting discussing where to put grassed areas and trees and hoping the real problem of the derelict garage goes away.

DAVID FORSTER

Long Street,

Thirsk.

Waste of money

Sir, - I would like to endorse all the comments made by Coun Andy Robinson (D&S, Jan 2) regarding the proposed modification to Long Street, Thirsk.

Long Street has provided Thirsk with a positive entrance to the town for the past 50 years, and will continue for the next 50 years if "meddling" is kept to a minimum.

The only attention needed is the old Vale Garage and two cottages adjacent to the garage. The rest of the street is in excellent condition and does not need "tinkering" with. The proposed grassed areas are a total waste of public money and have no place in the make-up of Long Street.

T BARKER

Byland Avenue,

Thirsk.

Cheap promise

Sir, - We refer to recent reports published in the D&S (Dec 19) and the letters from Coun A Robinson (D&S, Jan 2) and G Garbutt (D&S, Jan 9), neither of whom live in Long Street.

We have also been in so far useless correspondence with North Yorkshire County Council since April 2003. Many residents of Thirsk may not see Long Street as a priority but it is not in their back yard!

At no great expense it should be possible (Mr Garbutt) to arrange planters or bollards to restrict parking to private vehicles, not haphazard use by HGVs for a start.

Long Street is a mixed commercial and residential area but that is no reason why it should be allowed to continue in its present state in perpetuity.

Promises of possible action are as cheap as you can get!

J R FISHER

Long Street,

Thirsk.

Parking point

Sir, - You report (D&S, Dec 19) Hambleton District Council giving money to improve Long Street in Thirsk - which is termed an eyesore.

But may I mention the question of car parking Thirsk could do with more parking, and one of the most successful and generous businessman in the town (and in the North) has land adjacent to the bus park, which I know he would like to see so used.

Wm Calvert (carpet Bill), his wife and family never fail to help any project or effort for Thirsk and District. I have just read they have given a new floor to a village hall.

This piece of land is called the Moat - you can see it for about three months of the year - the other nine it grows thistles and ragwort.

Could some help not be given to Bill to use part of this land to fulfil his wish to make use of it.

HARRY WOODHEAD

Piperhill,

Felixkirk,

Thirsk.