Letters

WHETHER or not Sir Richard Branson (HAS, Nov 13) is a regular reader of The Northern Echo, some doubt surely surrounds the generous amount of space he was given in this column to push his bid for the local train operating franchise.

As a reader whose letters are limited to 200 words, I submit that this is not what Hear All Sides is for.

His claim should have been in the form of an advertisement, which we may be sure he can afford. - Bob Jarratt, Richmond.

SIR Richard Branson's offer (HAS, Nov 13) to take over the East Coast Main Line services from GNER needs a response from people living in the North-East.

The action required does not only need to cover the provision of new trains but the Strategic Rail Authority, Railtrack, and the train operators must work to ensure that the track on the East Coast Main Line is reinstated to again provide safe high speed and high quality links to London.

Whilst the current situation, where we have no direct rail service to London, makes life very difficult for our business people and visitors to the region, we must look to the future.

Despite the Herculean actions by railway workers to keep the line open, the Hatfield disaster and the severe weather have resulted in a total collapse of the region's rail links to the south.

As Leader of Durham County Council and chair of the Regional Development Forum of the Regional Assembly I am in close touch with the views of the county and region from both rail user and local authority viewpoints.

I agree with Sir Richard that we need to plan an effective replacement for the current rolling stock. The technical experts appear to have concerns about the benefits of the tilting trains that Virgin has selected for the West Coast Main Line in seeking to make savings in journey times on the East Coast line. But there are also expert concerns on Virgin's choice of rolling stock to replace the electric locomotives and carriages used by GNER.

I would call on Sir Alastair Morton to ensure that his Strategic Rail Authority takes an active part in the choice of rolling stock fit for inter city travel in the 21st Century. - Don Robson, Durham County Council.

GLOBAL WARMING

IAN Lamming (Echo, Nov 14) illustrates, in my view, the woolly and arrogant thinking that goes with the fashionable premise that the human race can influence its climate.

That there have been several extreme climate changes in this planet's history is not in doubt. The earth's climate is, therefore, cyclical.

The majority of the "greenhouse gases" are naturally produced leaving, I am informed, about two per cent of them which can be attributed to human influence.

What we are able to do about the environment is insufficient to change the inevitable and is therefore irrelevant.

To stop panic amongst the scratch card classes, however, it seems it is deemed necessary for the media to convince them that there is something they can do to help. - Chris Greenwell, Aycliffe.

ST ANNE'S SCHOOL

I WRITE in support of the letter from Jemma Carr, a pupil of St Anne's School, Wolsingham, in her plea to save it from closure.

I regularly visited the school as an outside examiner and found the academic standards excellent. Visits were always a pleasure because of the atmosphere and friendliness of the staff and pupils. There are too few schools like this in existence. Please make every effort to keep it open. - Mary R Hawgood, Durham.

SOUTH CLEVELAND HOSPITAL

SO much is said about our health service and a lot of it is not good.

But one hospital and its staff stand out from all the others in this area and that is South Cleveland Hospital. The care and attention I was given by everyone, even the domestics and porters, was second to none. No one could complain about this hospital or its staff.

The staff are pleasant, compassionate, caring and thoughtful. The hospital itself is clean but restful and comfortable, even though there is a lot of building work going on.

I would put this hospital top of any table this Government cares to bring out. I would like to thank everyone there for the care and attention they gave me and my family. Other hospitals in the area should take a leaf out of its book. - K Storey, Trimdon Village.

Darlington FC

WHAT a difference a year makes. The Quakers were once the envy of other Third Division Football Clubs, with a multi-millionaire chairman and a team made up of former top league players.

Twelve months on we are down in the bottom half of Division Three with a hapless, inexperienced coaching staff and a few Sunderland reserve squad members to replace the departed squires, who nearly took us to the dizzy heights of promotion last year.

Would anyone like to buy a season ticket, as I know a few hundred supporters who would sell theirs or swap them for a Val Doonican CD? - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

LAND SALE

THE proposed sale of land at Croxdale for housing by Durham City Council (Echo, Nov 13) mirrors the same situation we have at Ushaw Moor with its children's play area being part of the package.

The only difference is that Croxdale has Joe Anderson as its representative, a man who puts party aside in favour of his fellow villagers.

I have been told many times by various councillors over the years that they have been forced to go along with the majority when that decision has had an adverse effect on their own areas. This is what we have been faced with in Ushaw Moor since the three councils amalgamated some years ago but our playground problem will be solved by law and in our favour if the council persists in its policy. - R Hall, Ushaw Moor.