Sir, - Mr Carney's letter (D&S, June 7) states that this national park authority's stance against the use of motorised vehicles within the national park is based only on the element of noise that they make. This is not the case.

Our opposition to the use of recreational four-wheel-drive vehicles and motor bikes on the area's green lanes goes well beyond the issue of noise alone.

National parks are special places, after all that is why they were designated as such. People come to the area to enjoy the peace and tranquillity, which in recent years, with the growth of "off roading", is increasingly compromised.

Yes, noise is part of the problem, but so too is the intrusion walkers, cyclists and horse riders experience every time they come face to face with groups of off-road vehicles. Further, it cannot be denied that these vehicles do cause physical damage; and where it is happening in sensitive areas it needs to be addressed.

The 1949 Act of Parliament, which gave birth to the national parks, had at its heart an ethos that is as relevant today as it was back then; national parks should be a place where people can go to recharge their batteries - away from it all. Unless we work to protect this ethos then the special nature of this area will be lost.

This could well come at a cost, with the risk that the many millions of people who currently visit every year could end up turning their backs on the area.

This is not the petty argument that Mr Carney would have us believe, as where there is peace and tranquillity there will be visitors; where it is compromised, who knows.

JON AVISON

Head of Park Management

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority,

Grassington.

Camp memories

Sir, - It was with great disappointment that I read that Richmondshire District Council planning committee had passed plans for an ALDI store to be built on the Catterick Garrison Post Office site without retaining the present building in the plans (D&S, June 14).

The building was not considered of sufficient importance to merit retention. I would question this as the building is part of Catterick Camp (Garrison) history, standing as it does on such a prominent position at Camp Centre. This replaced the first wooden Post Office building used at the establishment of the camp.

As a Crown building, I can see why the Post Office needs to release any capital tied up in the development of the ALDI store - one thinks of the Richmond Post Office building.

If, as is rumored, the demolition of Shute Road area is to take place in the future, there will not be very much left of memories of countless regular and conscript soldiers who over the years have passed through this military establishment and used the camp centre. Talking to people in the area, they like me view this demolition with sadness.

M HOLDSTOCK

Scotton,

Catterick Garrison.

What's changed?

Sir, - I have followed the Richard Neale affair through your columns and support calls for a full public inquiry.

What worries me most is the dangerous policy which may still be perpetuated through faulty, even corrupt, high-level advice.

Richard Neale has been exposed for malpractice involving wide-scale injury and even death. Senior management and governance at the Friarage are under new control. That may help but it does not close the matter.

The decision to give Neale a pay-off and viable reference was bound to risk inflicting the danger on others. That was dishonest and corrupt, and flies in the face of the Nolan principles for public service.

It was said that managers had legal advice that there was no alternative. What advice? From what lawyers? If dishonesty and corruption are to be rooted out, this is the level which needs correction. Otherwise more Richard Neales will be passed around to damage more innocent patients.

How can the public know what high-level policies and advice apply, and whether they have been changed after the Neale affair?

MIKE O'CARROLL

Welbury,

Northallerton.

It's an odd world

Sir, - So here we are - once again - locked out of our shelter presumably because of the anti-social behaviour of two men (D&S report, page 1, June 14).

Come wind, come rain, we bus passengers stand outside looking at those locked, expensive, iron gates, paid for I presume by Leyburn people.

The world gets odder and odder.

IRENE BRAITHWAITE

Market Place,

Leyburn.