Sir, - I was amazed to read your report (D&S, Sept 6) about the proposed relocation of Thirsk's auction mart.

The tone of the report, supported by the selected quotes, gives the impression that planning approval is a foregone conclusion. I trust this is not the case.

Many of the objectives of the proposed move and development, in themselves are fairly desirable; there will obviously be a demand for 150 new homes, the removal of the mart from its present site will please local householders, and the generation of new jobs is to be welcomed.

However, these potential benefits have to be balanced against drawbacks.

For example there was no mention of the impact such a move would have on traffic volumes in Blakey Lane in particular and Sowerby generally.

We have already seen the effect that such a development has had. The expansion of Thirsk Trading Estate on York Road in recent years has brought a dramatic increase in the number and types of vehicles using Blakey Lane, so much so that what was once a peaceful country lane has become another Thirsk by-pass.

Pedestrians get virtually no consideration from the majority of drivers (on the narrowest stretches there is no footpath). Sooner or later, even at present traffic levels, there is likely to be some sort of incident.

My message to both developers and planners is: either find another site or, as part of the development, build an additional road avoiding Blakey Lane and Sowerby.

MIKE WHYBROW

Blakey Close,

Sowerby.

Managing moors

Sir, - In his letter "Better for birds" (D&S, Aug 15) Mr Haigh begins with the "cruelty and barbarism", (his words) of shooting sports. He then switches to a separate subject of conservation.

Many people do indeed consider killing wild creatures for sport cruel and barbaric but on this occasion let us leave that subject aside and concentrate on the conservation aspect.

Mr Haigh correctly states that curlew, golden plover, lapwing and snipe benefit from "well managed moor". Whilst these species have declined in many parts of the country they thankfully can not be described as rare.

That managed moorland benefits some wader species is good but purely coincidental. Game moors are managed not with curlews etc in mind but for increasing numbers of grouse.

What Mr Haigh failed to mention were the species of mammals and birds which are not tolerated on a grouse moor.

For example, the truly rare hen-harrier, kite, buzzard and short-eared owl, which, but for the activities of game-keepers, would and should be part of these areas.

Grouse have many natural predators but the aim of the keepers is to eliminate all but one, the shooter. This imbalance must surely deplete our countryside of our rich wildlife inheritance.

Certainly our moors and countryside need managing but not solely for the "sportsmen"

W H CHAPMAN

Eden Street,

Saltburn by Sea.

What freedom?

Sir, - In her letter Angela Vaux (D&S, Aug 29) quotes the Prime Minister's speech in which he states: "free to be you, so long as being you does not impair the freedom of others." Yet she also implies in her letter that she approves of hunting with dogs.

So does being torn apart not impair the freedom of foxes and hares, or does freedom apply to some animals but not others?

As regards the "traditional way of life", many activities were once deemed to be 'traditional' - slavery, burning anyone suspected of witchcraft, putting little boys up chimneys, wife-beating, the right of the lord of the manor to deflower a bride on her wedding night ....

This is the twenty-first century for goodness' sake!

PATRICIA TRICKER

Arrathorne,

Bedale.