11/08/04

But read carefully, the article was anything but reassuring. For a start, the statement that at least half of hospital staff have "traces of bowel organism on their hands" is absolutely shocking in its implications.

There are three steps that need taking urgently to end the current shambles: (1) an end to the fiasco of contracted out cleaning; (2) the ejection of senior management from their ivory towers, and would it be asking too much to bring back matrons? (3) An end to degree courses for nurses and their training on the job instead (at present you've got nurses fresh from college who know all about DNA etc but don't know how to make a bed).

A tall order, maybe, but its alternative is the continuance of the present appalling statistic of 5,000 deaths per annum from hospital acquired infections. - T Kelly, Crook.

COASTGUARDS

WHILE reading my morning papers I felt very annoyed at the way our local coastguard teams were criticised after rescuing a model plane off the cliff.

These men and women are a credit to our shoreline who receive little recognition for their actions.

Most of them are volunteers, have young families and are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week covering the beach and our extremely dangerous cliffs.

The comments from Tory John Robinson were insulting to these brave people, also how could he comment that £5,000 had been spent to rescue a toy? Where does he get that from, is this true? I think not.

If a child had climbed up to retrieve that plane and fallen and killed themselves who would be responsible then and at what cost?

These coastguards should be praised for their loyalty and commitment to the public and we must remember that, along with many other organisations, they are volunteers and give up valuable time away from their families to help us.

Isn't it a shame that our local councillors are concerned we are spending too much on public safety and awareness when hundreds of thousands of pounds were wasted on those lovely empty useless white buildings on our very own Saltburn promenade. - Mrs S Johnstone, Saltburn.

PEDESTRIAN HEART

IN the August issue of the Town Crier, Councillor John Williams "assesses the benefits of the new Pedestrian Heart scheme".

I must admit to some confusion. Councillor Williams says the new development must be pedestrian friendly, but I have been informed that cyclists are allowed in the core pedestrian area at all times - no restrictions apply.

The logic of these statements escapes me. - R Elliott, Darlington.

I AM intrigued by John Wicks' approach (Echo, Aug 3) to the Highway Code and anti-social behaviour. The Pedestrian Heart is a great scheme to clear the town centre of the greatest traffic nuisance/menace/polluter (feel free to select) by far - the car.

Quite rightly, the council has raised the question: can sensible cyclists share this car-free area with pedestrians?

The Highway Code also states that cars should give way to pedestrians who have started crossing the road when the car is turning off a main road. How many times do you see car drivers observing that law in Darlington? Cycle paths are a start, but have you noticed that even your much-maligned council has not felt strong enough to enforce the Highway Code on behalf of cyclists where these new paths cross side road junctions? The give way signs have been marked out against cyclists, and not, as the Highway Code states, against turning cars.

There are precious few opportunities for sensible adult cyclists to travel safely in Darlington. Would you want your young cycling son or daughter to be forced to stick to busy roads around the town centre? Insp Chris Reeves is to be commended for realising that the Highway Code - and the law - is about supporting sensible, and reducing anti-social, behaviour.

We believe that sensible cyclists should be given the chance to share the car-free heart of Darlington. It won't be difficult to erect signs making it clear that cyclists should use the Heart with care, and that pedestrians have priority at all times. I for one have been cycling this way for many years, and I would never dream of frightening anyone on foot. Pedestrians and cyclists have got much more to unite about in Darlington than squabble over. Let's give it a try. - Sally Forth, Darlington Cycling Interest Group.

TRANSPORT POLICY

WHY could car tax not be put on fuel? I feel this would be much fairer.

It would stop tax cheats and make people think before making some journeys. - M Robson, York.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

COUNTY Councillor Fenwick (HAS, Aug 4) speaks out of self-interest and emotional representation.

While the issue of regional government is far from satisfactory, one can't kid oneself that the County of Durham has had much in the way of success. For many years coal mining was the main industry along with other industries that are gone.

Since then the county has been in decline as far as well paid jobs are concerned and for the most part we have relied on central government.

To appeal to 900 years of history is irrelevant and has nothing to do with whether another tier of a talking shop is going to improve our lot.

What is the point of giving us an assembly and losing our district council - which is in itself a failure?

If New Labour was so keen to give more power to the region why is it so keen to give us so much hot air and not enough clarity?

It does not take an expert to understand that the regional assembly is simply another fudge.

The biggest lie of all is the statement that we will have the same powers and autonomy as the Scots. If that were true then it would be acceptable, but this is not the case and the region will simply have the same mess to deal with. - John Young, Crook.

LAW AND ORDER

IT was good to read recently that the Government has granted Middlesbrough Police new powers to use in the fight against crime (Echo, Aug 3).

The latest initiative of introducing drug tests for young offenders is a good one.

By adopting this tactic, the police hope to steer young people away from a life of crime, with 14-17-year-olds being targeted.

Because of the known link between drugs and crime, it is vital the police have these additional powers. - LD Wilson, Guisborough.