Sir, - I am delighted the National Park and National Trust are taking action over the death of frogs and toads on the Sheep Wash Road past Codbeck Reservoir above Osmotherley, and that Mr George McDonald has spurred some action.

It is sad to see how the road becomes covered with squashed animals each year and carrying a few live ones clear of the road is a commendable and rewarding aim. The number of amphibians around the reservoir varies considerably from year to year. I would have hoped last year was a good year for the species, with the limited access during foot-and-mouth. In 2000, I counted 121 squashed frogs and toads on the road, and this figure was lower than usual.

The main problem is that the frogs and toads are not just crossing the road. They tend to descend on to the road near the cattle grid and then walk northward along it. Recent repairs to the wall between the road and the reservoir by the water company have made it even more difficult for the creatures to get off the road and into the water.

The obvious solution is to create gaps in dry stonewalls, perhaps with ramps to encourage the amphibians to leave the smooth road surface as quickly as possible. Road signs are also needed to inform drivers about the cause of the squishy sound beneath their tyres as they drive along this road.

ROBERT THORNLEY-WALKER

Back Lane,

Osmotherley.

Clouded view

Sir, - I am writing in response to the letters of Mr Barr and Mr Kennedy. I assume their misreading of the report (D&S Feb 15) was because their understanding is clouded with venom. Every point they made was wrong.

I have worked with many volunteer organisations and they put in a huge amount of work because they have the best aspirations for their communities. If Mr Barr and Mr Kennedy have those aspirations and beliefs in Saltburn, why are they not in the Saltburn Improvement Company. Or is that too much like hard work?

It is very easy to stand in the shadows, suck your teeth and spit bile. My advice is, if they believe they are the "voice of the people", they should join the SIC.

I am sorry that Mr Barr found my conversation with the D&S journalist a "personal drive to make public, trivial revelations about my personal creative processes". I don't think so, it was just a talk about the work.

I will take his advice, and let the work speak for itself.

MICHAEL JOHNSON

Styrrup,

Doncaster.

Foot in mouth?

Sir, - A guest of BBC's Look North programme last week was Nick Brown, former Minister of Agriculture. Asked: "With hindsight, would you have acted any differently in handling the foot-and-mouth outbreak?" the self-confidence of his reply was staggering: "No, I knew all along it was under control, as time was to tell".

That was almost the opposite of what he had said a few months ago, in front of the cameras.

No wonder the Government is so opposed to a public inquiry. One can imagine swarms of civil servants streaming along like ants, conveying armfuls of confidential documents to the shredders before any inquiry began!

Dr W A FORSTER

Wellington Mews,

Ripon.

Euro confusion

Sir, - Perhaps it is not that news reaches Hutton Rudby slowly, but that it takes time to be interpreted when presented in D J Whitaker's words (D&S letters, Feb 15).

What possible difference to the cost of foreign exchange or the price of cars can "becoming better acquainted" with the euro make, unless the phrase is a euphemism for joining the euro.

I am not sure why the euro should lead to increased competition and should be interested to see any evidence of this when I next go abroad.

It will also be interesting to see how the euro countries cope with the "one size fits all" bank rate.

S MATTHEWS

Hutton Rudby.