So much has been documented by way of complaint over hospital parking, that it seems unlikely that a free park and ride scheme recently introduced is not being fully utilised.

I wish to draw the attention of potential clients for this service to its very existence.

Essentially, you park your car in the corner of Sainsbury's car park (north east corner, farthest from the main shop entrance), board the bus and get out at the door of the new Chester Wing.

The return journey is simply the reverse, boarding at the Chester Wing entrance, and dropped off next to your car at Sainsbury's.

An added advantage is that you can then fill up with cheap fuel (relatively speaking of course), or do some shopping.
Present times are leaving Sainsbury's 0830, 0920, 1010, 1100, 1150, 1240, 1330, 1420, 1510, 1600 and leaving hospital 0905, 0955, 1045, 1135, 1225, 1315, 1405, 1455, 1545.

I have recently had occasion to use this service and it was excellent.

Boarded with my wife at 8.30, sat back and relaxed while we drove through hectic rush hour traffic.
Arrived at hospital at 8.45, ideal for our 9.00 appointment, and totally stress free.

Ready to leave at 11.55, so relaxed with a coffee until bus arrived at 12.25, and dropped me off at my car 10 minutes later.

I would like to congratulate whoever instigated this service, as park and ride is the only solution to hospital parking, as long as hospitals continue to be located in the centre of town.

Let's see more people using this service, bearing in mind the old adage "use it or lose it".
Bill Turnbull


Tories in for shock
THEY say a week is a long time in politics – a few weeks must be agony and two years must be a lifetime for the Tory party.

While I was very saddened to hear the decision of Chris Mullin MP to retire at the next election, I respect his reasons.

I have always found him very friendly, ready and willing to offer help and advice and of the highest integrity. He would have made an excellent MP for the new Sunderland Central seat and will be greatly missed.

If, however, in the light of this, the Tories believe that their candidate will now win the seat with ease or by default, I'm afraid that they are in for a bit of a shock.

There are many high-profile, highly-qualified and motivated people within the Labour Party who are willing and indeed eager to stand as our candidate.

The next General Election here in Sunderland Central will be very interesting, bringing together a new parliamentary seat and a roster of candidates to a city that has seen its fortunes transformed from that of an economic wasteland to one that has a bright and prosperous future.

Many of these transformations were started under a Labour Government and on Coun Bob Symonds's watch, as Leader of Sunderland Council, and he should be proud of what he's achieved.

Leaders and deputy leaders change – that is part of the democratic process – and the Tory party should know all about that better that any other party.
Bob Price
Rydal Mount,
Fulwell,
Sunderland

Signs of the times?
DID you take notice of the notices?

The ones I refer to are those on the two-way traffic system along the side of the A1 road in Northumberland.

Well, if you happen to have travelled up to bonny Scotland and taken the A1, then you may have seen the signs which inform you to be careful overtaking in certain areas stating – in the last three years there were 168 deaths on this stretch of road.

The authorities, in their wisdom, have decided to remove the signs which have been in place since the 1990s because they are now considered to be a hazard to motorists.

I think that I will not be in a minority group when stating that it is about time to take these notices down, but only when the dual carriageway is extended throughout Northumberland.

Until this is done then I think they should let the signs remain because they may still save someone's life.
The Highways Agency should concentrate its efforts on fighting to get the motorists a dual carriageway throughout the A1 and, for the moment, leave the signs as they are.
WA Place
Winslow Crescent.
Seaham

Reunion success
THANK YOU to several readers for their help in making our reunion a success.

As one of our group wrote "I had no idea so many people read the Echo till that form photograph appeared".
Cuttings from the Echo were sent as far south as Sussex and north to Perth.

Thanks to the Echo, two classmates, not seen by us for more than 40 years, attended, along with 24 others making it a memorable evening.

Our thanks also go to the Sea Hotel for an excellent buffet and providing us with a great room in which to meet.
Robina (nee Foster)

Family tree
I AM researching my family tree and a cutting of a Doreen Foster in India in 1944 was found in my father's papers when he passed away. I think there must be some connection and relations around.

My father was born in Seaham Harbour, as was my grandfather and great-grandfather – Robert Foster, James Cuthbert Foster and George Richard Foster.

I am seeking any information which may help.
Margaret Moody
The Bungalow
Tom Otters Lane
Saxilby
Lincoln LN1 2LY