OFFICES MOVE : We have delivered the Richmondshire Focus newsletter to 20,000 houses, not just because we were "unhappy with the decision" to move Richmondshire District Council (RDC) offices out of Richmond (Echo, Apr 5), but because we know that residents have not been consulted about such a major change.

Councillors agreed that the building of new office accommodation would not happen until criteria were met, including a commitment to "engage with the public". Residents know that this has not happened.

One key theme of RDC is supporting "an active local democracy". We think asking for people's views is an essential part of this and have done so as fully as possible. We believe in active, real democracy. Judging from the responses so far, from all parts of the district, so do residents.

We agree staff need better accommodation. The council has been responsible for this problem for more than 30 years. Now that funds are available through the sale of land, a solution in Richmond is possible.

Jobs are not threatened without new accommodation, contrary to rumours. The real uncertainty comes from central Government imposing reorganisation on councils and we shall all know more in June. We question the rush to vote before then. - Councillors Linda Curran, RDC Acting Group Leader, Liberal Democrats, and Sheila Clarke, chairwoman, Richmond (Yorks) LibDems.

RIGHT TRACK

THE chaos on our roads is already at crisis point and yet it's getting worse (though to look at the situation around here you wouldn't think that was possible). Sooner or later, we will have to devise a proper national transport policy - one based on facts, not escapism.

The first fact to be faced is where we went wrong, which was the destruction by a Tory Government 40 years ago of much of our national rail network. As an act of folly it was without parallel in recent social history.

True, then as now, the railways were being run incompetently, just like most public services and departments today. But we wouldn't think of closing those down, would we?

Now we are left with only one choice and the sooner we realise it the better - to reopen and rebuild as much of our former rail network as we can.

Impossible? Impractical? Unrealistic? Look at the present situation on our roads and ask what the alternative is. More of the same? Now that's truly unrealistic. - T Kelly, Crook.

PARKING SCHEME

THE recent flurry of correspondence about the residents' parking scheme in central residential areas of Darlington is perhaps timely because full details will be available on April 19.

The council engineer in charge of implementing the scheme has a very difficult job, because she has to design something to reconcile opposing views. The completed plan tries very hard to reflect the range of opinion.

I do hope that all those residents who signed in opposition to the earlier scheme will remember that they did so and realise that this final scheme reflects their opposition. On my travels I have met three people who signed a letter of protest, but who now seem to have forgotten that they did so.

May I remind all those affected by the plan to read carefully the letters they receive from the council and let either me, or Councillor Tony Richmond, know of any strongly-held feelings.

It is important for the well-being of the College Ward area and the town in general that an acceptable scheme is implemented as soon as possible. - Councillor Ian Galletley, College Ward, Darlington.

SPORTING LIFE

SPORT throws up a lot of opportunities, and dilemmas as well. Physical contact in sport and arguments about boxing in particular - whether it should be banned - have been regurgitated for many years.

There have been similar calls about horseracing and the Grand National, which is popular with regular punters as well as once-a-year enthusiast like myself.

Any sport has a competitive element and horseracing is no different. Horses are trained to compete and yes, there have been occasions when tragedy has struck. But generally, the Grand National stands as a premier sporting event and should continue to do so, as long as we are mindful of the importance of safety for horses and jockeys.

It is inevitable that accidents will occur but, hopefully, they can be kept to a minimum. Sport of whatever kind has the features which excite, inspire and motivate us, whether as a competitor or spectator.

Like many things, sport provides risk along with the excitement, but a measure of common sense is required. - Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe.

WHY SO MANY?

CAN anyone explain why Darlington needs 53 councillors?

As I understand if, all decision are made by the Leader of the Council and rubber-stamped by Cabinet members (all Labour councillors).

Significant savings could be made by reducing these numbers by 50 per cent which, in turn, could reduce the council tax. - R Elliott, Darlington.

LAW AND DISREPUTE

WHAT on earth has happened to the law in this country? The car was always regarded as a lethal weapon in the hands of an irresponsible person. The car that hit and killed a 20-year-old medical student on a pedestrian crossing in Birmingham (Echo, Apr 5) was certainly in the hands of a dangerously irresponsible person.

He killed that young girl, and what punishment was handed to him - 18 months (for causing death by dangerous driving). I ask you -18 months?

It didn't matter that he had a history of driving offences and that after the incident he left the scene - and the young girl to die. What was the judge thinking about? It makes me doubt if this person is indeed capable of being in charge of such a case. What kind of message does this give out? - R Hughes, Shotton Colliery.

YOUNG DRIVERS

ONE way of addressing the problem of accidents caused by young drivers would be to set an upper limit for third party insurance premiums.

A premium of £1,000 represents an expectation of doing an average of one thousand pounds worth of damage to others each year, less the insurance company's overheads and profit.

Those paying high premiums are either being ripped off or they are simply too dangerous to drive the vehicle they are insured for. - John Riseley, Harrogate.