I HAVE been asked by the members of the East End Community Centre's Old People's Pop In Club to write to the Letters Page after they read Mr Atkinson's letter (Echo, September 22).

The pedestrian involved was a member of the above club as a volunteer in the beginning, many years ago, and she continued as an ordinary member up until her death a few weeks ago.

She was a well-respected person in the community, having an honest, caring and helpful personality, she was very intelligent with a great sense of humour.

She was not "acting like one of a bunch of schoolkids" the morning she was knocked down while standing on the pavement beside a pedestrian crossing waiting to cross the road after pressing the button.

We have no wish to refuel the whole (minor?) controversy about senior citizens using powerful vehicles. It is not just senior citizens who use these scooters.

Like everything else that is created to help the vulnerable, you will get people abusing the system.

Mrs Barbara French's death was no minor incident. She suffered a broken hip which led to many complications which she endured with fortitude and patience without any recriminations towards anyone.

But what she did tell us was that the hospital had informed the police about this incident and she was told that the police had the lady responsible on CCTV.

Mrs French was a mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many who did not deserve to be left lying on the road and her family left without an apology and left with the image of a stupid pedestrian.
Winnie Davis,
Churchill Street,
Sunderland

No concern shown
IN response to Bob Atkinson (Echo, September 22), I am the grandparent of the 10-year-old girl knocked over by a mobility scooter in Sea Road.
It is obvious to anyone that this is the incident he refers to.
May I correct any assumptions he has made. My granddaughter was by herself when she activated the crossing when the vehicle came up behind her.
he is not allowed to stand around in groups as she has to come straight home, mainly being collected from school. Neither does she possess a mobile phone.
I agree, of course, that the accident was not intentional but why not stop and show concern for the victim, as did the lady who helped her to her feet?
As my granddaughter said at the time: "She could have said she was sorry." Is that too much to expect? We are not against anyone deserving of help with their mobility.
Shame on you Mr Atkinson!
M Bennett,
Laws Street,
Fulwell,
Sunderland

They take no notice
IN answer to Linda Colling and other writers who say mobility scooters should have horns on them, let me tell you my husband has a scooter with horn and when you blow them, when you get near to people, they say we can wait as they come first priority.
I was on my husband's scooter one day (I hurt my foot) and a women told her children to take no notice of me.
Please have some consideration for these disabled people with mobility scooters as it is the only way some can get about. I have complained myself about them along with babies' buggies and shop trolleys. The only problem now is with buggies and shop trolleys barging into your legs without an apology from anyone.
Mrs Pritchard,
Rickleton,
Washington

There's a difference
I WOULD just like to point out that there is a difference between mobility scooters and power chairs.
I have cerebral palsy and use a power chair which is an NHS one. But before I could get it I had to do two tests to make sure I could handle it.
On Thursday in The Bridges a lady made a comment about letting me out of the shop first because I may run her over. Half an hour later a man on a scooter was speeding up and down The Bridges like he was on a joyride. Please do not put people like myself in that category.
I cannot afford to run anyone over because the NHS would take my chair off me.
I think these people who have mobility scooters should have some kind of tests as well.
Michelle J Gibson,
Whitburn,
Sunderland

Pram problems
I AM writing in reply to "Hayley Writes" letter (Echo, September 10), about older generations moaning and not moving when the younger ones get on buses with their prams.
First of all the so-called pushchairs and buggies are getting larger and larger. Some are as big as armchairs and take up the whole portion of the front of the bus and sometimes they take the child out to sit on a seat or on their knees.
Then what about the five front seats that are supposed to be for the elderly and infirm? They are always taken up by younger and fitter passengers and they are not asked to move like we are when a pram gets on the bus.
J Lumley


More than one kind of scooterFOLLOWING the death recently caused allegedly in some part by a mobility scooter in Sunderland I was rather impressed by Linda Colling's article regarding the use of mobility scooters. Linda seemed to give the impression that they did not require a licence of tax disc.
Perhaps it would help your readers to know that mobility scooters are governed to some extent. The following information has been gleamed from various web sites in an effort to understand the legalities of using these scooters and hopefully to reduce the number of accidents caused by them.
There is one class of manual wheelchair (called a Class 1 invalid carriage) and two classes of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters. Manual wheelchairs and Class 2 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 4 mph (6km/h) and are designed to be used only on pavements. Class 3 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 8 mph (12 km/h) and are equipped with lights, indicators and horns to be used on the road as well as the pavement.
When you are on the road you should obey the guidance and rules for other vehicles; when on the pavement you should follow the guidance and rules for pedestrians as laid down in the Highway Code.
Pavements are much safer than roads and should be used when available. You should give pedestrians priority and show consideration for other pavement users, particularly those with a hearing or visual impairment who may not be aware that you are there.
Further advice can be found on the government web site.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069852
A Class 3 invalid carriage or mobility scooter requires a tax certificate; this can be obtained free but should be displayed on the scooter.
"Class 3 invalid carriage" means a mechanically propelled invalid carriage which is so constructed or adapted as to be capable of exceeding a speed of 4 miles per hour but incapable of exceeding a speed of 8 miles per hour on the level under its own power. The invalid carriage must not be used by a person who is aged less than 14 years. When being used on a footway, the invalid carriage must not be driven at a speed greater than 4 miles per hour.
Mobility scooters, powered wheelchairs and invalid carriages used on the road with a maximum speed of eight miles per hour and fitted with a device to limit the speed to four miles per hour on footways will need to be taxed in the disabled tax class.
However, no registration fee is required, but it does require a vehicle document V5. Insurance is not a legal requirement for an invalid carriage; however, it is strongly advised that you obtain insurance. Suitable schemes are available to cover your personal safety, other people's safety and the value of the vehicle.
DVLA local office will issued a Nil Duty (Free) Tax Disc. This must be displayed on the vehicle. Class 3 invalid carriages do not need to display number plates. A disabled exemption certificate is not required to license the vehicle.
Users of Class 3 invalid carriages are exempt from driver licence requirements.
You will be required to renew your tax disc annually. Application form V55/5 can be obtained from the Post Office or by calling 08702 430 444.
Eric Brandon.
Seaburn
Sunderland

Remember the pit ponies?
I AM writing a book to support the rescue and rehabilitation of pit ponies and in particular those still working in drift mines. Some are lame and others are suffering from lung diseases.
I would welcome written contributions from any of your readers who may have worked with them.
Derek Hollows,
Bevin Boys' Association,
14 Navigation Road,
Altrincham,
Cheshire
WA14 1NF

New road idea puts lives at risk
THE development of new "shared surface" areas in towns and cities across the country is putting the lives and safety of blind and partially-sighted people at risk.
Shared surfaces are where roads and pavements are constructed at the same level.
I am keen that Echo readers speak out against this new blight on town planning. Local authorities are going ahead with shared surface projects without taking into account the effect that they have, not just on blind and partially-sighted people but on other groups in our communities.
Guide Dogs thorough research has demonstrated that these new shared surface developments are becoming "no-go" areas for many and that people fear for their safety in trying to negotiate their way through cars, lorries, cyclists and other road users.
Shared surfaces rely on negotiating priority and movement between vehicles and pedestrians through "eye contact", this puts blind and partially sighted people at an immediate disadvantage.
From childhood we are all taught to "stop at the kerb". When you introduce designs with no kerb then we are all put at risk and safety concerns go beyond visually impaired pedestrians, to older people, children and those with other disabilities.
I hope your readers will join our campaign by either writing to your letters pages or the local council. Further information can be found at www.guidedogs.org.uk/sharedsurfaces or by phoning 0800 028 4348.
Tom Pey,
Director of External Affairs,
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association,
Hillfields, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3YG
Tel: 0118 983 8281

Borrowing money
CONGRATULATIONS to Trading Standards specialist staff, who have caught two un-named Sunderland men in an alleged illegal loan lending scheme, £35,000 over an 18- month period.
We all may need some sort of finance at various stages, more so leading up to Christmas. We shouldn't forget the tragedy of the Fairpak scheme some time ago.
If we who deem it urgent, savings on loans on a personal basis, consider joining a local credit union scheme, everything is protected by a regulatory body, instead of doorstep lending.
Bill Craddock,
Member, Wearside Credit Union,
Donvale Road,
Washington

Blame SAFC gangs
YES, I am sorry to read (Echo, Sept 13), the letters relating to incidents of abuse on Tyneside and I extend my sympathy to those Sunderland child victims, but I must point out that the fault lies for the most part with SAFC fans, for I have witnessed terrible abuse from gangs of Mackem drinkers sitting outside bars on Park Lane, a walkway through which Magpies must pass on the way to the Metro.
Imagine the NUFC child supporters having to put up with such evil insults and frightened by these menacing gangs, they have returned home in tears.
Have these SAFC fans who suffered the backlash realised that these Newcastle victims of cruelty on the streets of Sunderland have friends/relations who are incensed at such harrowing tales and have sworn vengeance?
So please, those Mackems, don't blame the Magpies. Also blame those supporters of SAFC who started the ball rolling.
Magpie

Joyful dedication
TRULY it was a joyful experience to travel down from Tweedmouth to Bowburn with my wife on Saturday, September 13, in order to share in the dedication of the newly-built Church of Christ the King in Bowburn Village by the Rt Rev Dr Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham.
Someone has the foresight to open the church door between 3-4pm. The melodious sound of a congregation in full voice flowed into the streets proving to all and sundry that "Jesus is alive today".
All too frequently in modern times our churches are closed, only to reopen in the name of "rationalisation", as carpet showrooms.
Not so in dear old Bowburn – truly a community of faithful Christian folk who continue to love the risen Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength,
George Henry Hamilton,
The Estuary,
Tweedmouth

Staff have to pay
I WENT to Washington baths the other day and chatted with some of the staff I hadn't seen for a while.
I said: "Do you not go in for a swim now?". They said they have to pay. I said: "Pay? When you work here?" They said yes. I couldn't believe it.
I notice they have taken the skirts off the girls and given them trousers. If they had to jump in they would fill with water.
They are all nice, helpful people who do their job diligently. Should Sunderland Council treat these good people in this manner ?
A Wagner,
Washington

I READ with disbelief that 94 per cent of the public voted yes to a new design costing £30 million which will be for the new Sunderland Bridge.Everybody whom I asked said what a waste of council taxpayers' money.
The design looks like a pair of broken tweezers and if the council have £30 million to spare why not build some council houses? That would be too sensible I suppose.
My daughter is living in expensive private accommodation because there are no council houses to get.
Let's get real!
L Aitchison,
Hadliegh Road,
Hylton Lane Estate,
Sunderland

JUST a basic bridge over the Wear will do. We do not need a fancy bridge.
Mrs M Stammers,
Houghton Road,
Hetton

ON behalf of the Sunderland Amateur Boxing Club, I would like to send our sincere thanks to the Silksworth and Ryhope District Darts and Domino League, for their most generous donation. As most people know in the city, we have had a very successful season with Tony Jeffries, Olympic bronze medal and Warren Baister and Irum Greenwell both winning national titles, many others with regional and semi-finals. All this is great for the club but success comes at a cost, therefore any donation is very welcome. So on behalf of all the boxers, coaches and officials of the club we would like to thank the Silksworth and Ryhope Darts and Domino League.
C Quenet

MY name is Simbarashe and I am from Zimbabwe and a diehard Sunderland AFC fan. As a far-away fan I am appealing to some loyal Black cats fans of either sex who could keep me updated with my team's progress. Email simbachicks@yahoo.com or write to
Simbarashe Chikanya,
1128 Chikangwe,
Karoi,
Zimbabwe

IN Houghton the smell gets worse. Flies the size of buterflies and wasps galore. Absolutely ridiculous! The Biffa site just yards away. Get lost, why don't you. It's no good just spraying perfume! Pathetic. What is the local councillor doing now?
Julieann,
Houghton

MY husband and I had a day out in Newcastle. With our free bus pass we can travel to all areas of the North East but on Friday, September 12, we really did have a great day in Newcastle – a bar meal, couple of lagers and a bit of shopping in thriving Newcastle. But the highlight of the day was going back to the Haymarket to get the bus home. This bus station is just great, light, clean, smoke free, very comfortable and smart. So I say well done Newcastle. A job well done! We will now be more regular visitors to Newcastle.
Vera Mackinnon,
Sunderland

I'VE been reading your article about the new bridge to be built over the Wear. I say go for the basic bridge and use the £30million to start building the children's hospice. I can't believe you can find all that extra money for a bridge when the bairns have waited so long for the Grace Hospital. So please think again.
Mrs L Wilkinson
Farringdon,
Sunderland