STOKESLEY, Thirsk, Easingwold and Bedale all have one thing in common. They have a bypass.

When will it be Northallerton’s turn? Northallerton’s traffic problems are well known, and they will not go away.

We know the cause and the economic impact this congestion is having upon the town and the surrounding area. This problem is long standing and in my view will not improve unless meaningful action is taken.

In the recent budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, told us there is in excess of £400m for use on the United Kingdom’s roads. In my view, our local authority should apply for money with the view to build a bypass for Northallerton to the west of the town. If not now, when?

I would hope that this suggestion will be embraced by the local community and all our civic leaders both at a local and national level.

The road that is presently under construction between the Darlington Road and the A684 will do nothing to alleviate the present problem.

Do we really want large wagons to drive through a housing estate to the detriment of the residents who will live there?

Andrew Naylor, Welbury.