Pupils put pen to paper and share views on hot topic

As part of that work some of the ten and 11 year olds wrote letters to readers of The Northern Echo about what they thought of the project.

Year 6 teacher Lorraine Watkinson said: "We thought it might be interesting to hear the views of some of Darlington's young citizens - those people who will grow up hopefully making use of the new facilities."

Today, Junior Hear All Sides publishes some of the letters.

ENCOURAGE VISITORS

I AM writing to tell you about the wonderful benefits of Darlington's Pedestrian Heart project. Also, to try to persuade the public that the project will be a great success, although some may disagree now.

Firstly, the Pedestrian Heart will encourage more people from everywhere, not just Darlington, but places like Newcastle, Middlesbrough or even Sunderland. This will happen because Darlington will have a pedestrian-friendly town centre for everyone to enjoy, young or old.

Once construction has finished, the town may attract more sophisticated shops such as Debenhams. The scheme is already starting to pay off as recently there has been a new car park and large TK Maxx. Also, there will be a large reduction in pollution. More car parks equals less pollution as shoppers will be able to park and shop without causing more pollution.

Similarly, people picking others up will be able to park and collect others. Maybe also go for a coffee without the sound of cars and buses.

Furthermore, pedestrians will not have to worry about vehicles as there will be no vehicles allowed in the town centre, although there will be buses only allowed on certain new bus routes.

There will be no traffic to worry about when crossing the road, only the occasional bus.

The town's visitors will be able to have a quiet meal or a drink and snack with the benefit of chatting without hearing the ear-aching sound of traffic and actually being able to hear themselves.

The Pedestrian Heart will also encourage exercise. You will be able to walk into town or even cycle. You may be worried about cycling, but it will be without threat.

There will be bike cupboards to safely lock away bikes, so riders are safe to cycle and lock away their bikes. The bike cupboards will be opened and locked by a card, similar to a credit card, that can be purchased.

This means that vandalism will be reduced as bike crime is usually a spur- of-the-moment crime.

Also, vandals would not take the time or money to buy an access card unless they were looking for a specific bike belonging to a specific owner, so there is nothing to worry about. - Amy Brown.

LESS TRAFFIC

We think the finished project will be wonderful.

Firstly, there will be less traffic in the town centre, which means there will be less pollution. Furthermore, anyone will be able to access the shops; there will be no kerbs for people in wheelchairs; it will be safer for children to play; mothers can go into town without the fear of them being knocked over by cars or themselves being knocked over, and teenagers can go and skateboard on the ramps where if they fall will not land on the road where cars will be driving past.

Secondly, if you like to relax and chat, then you can sit outside a place such as the Pennyweight. Also, there will be benches where there are shops where you can buy things and then eat the food while sitting on a bench.

Along with all the construction there will be a lamppost erected which will flash when your heart beats after hugging the lamppost.

We hope after reading this letter you will appreciate the workmen's construction and that you now agree with the plan. - Beth Tulloch.

DISABLED FRIENDLY

We think it will be great in many ways. Firstly, it will help disabled people get around. The builders will make it so there will be fewer steps and where there will be steps, they are putting plenty of ramps to make it easier for wheelchairs to get to the shops. Secondly, it will be safer for mothers with young children as there will be fewer vehicles because only buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed through the town.

Furthermore, because there are fewer vehicles it will be safer for cyclists. There will be more safe places to leave your bike, which will mean you can basically park your bike outside the shop you want to go into. We think the Pedestrian Heart scheme will make the town centre a better place for everyone to be. It will also cut down pollution which will help the environment. - Andrew Craigie.

SAFER ENVIRONMENT

When it is finished, the town will be a safer place to be. Children will be safer because there will be no cars and only a few buses.

I think the new town will make people come and visit Darlington and might bring some business into the town and attract better shops.

The paths will be wider, so that disabled people will have more room to move. So will people with pushchairs. There will be different coloured paving stones so that people with bikes can see where they can ride their bikes.

I hope that the Pedestrian Heart project will be a great success. - Molly Johnson.

WORTH THE WAIT

We all really enjoyed our visit and are looking forward to seeing the town when it is finished in 2007.

The finished product will be safer, so it will be better for children and old people.

It is also very good for the whole town because there will be more people visiting and it might become famous.

It will be good for adults because they will have more peace when they go shopping. The finished result will not be seen for a long time, but it is going to look really good. We can't wait to see it. - Emma Dodds.

CLEANER AIR

Firstly, I think it will benefit everyone from youngsters to the elderly. It will have lots of new trees and a beautiful water feature to give a person a sense of relaxation. There will also be an entertainment stage where bands can play.

Secondly, the town's air will be clean because the whole town is going to be pedestrianised. That means no cars will be allowed in the town which will help people with asthma. Some people complain about the town, but when it is finished it will look great. - Joanna Ma.