I AM one of a number of people who are really upset and disappointed that the number 8 bus service from the Sunderland centre to South Hylton has ceased altogether on a Sunday and fully after 6pm on an evening.

The first I heard was when a relation who is a pensioner said they would not be able to go out because they would not be able to get back home after 6pm. The Metro exists but this does not go right up or right down the bank from St Anne's to the very bottom of the bank. A lot of people who use the metro need a taxi from their home to the Metro due to disability.

It is especially disturbing because the Metro here often has repairs which happen all day and so is out of action on some Sundays.

Whoever has taken this decision I believe is discriminating against disabled, old and frail people. How are people meant to visit sick relations in the hospital with no way to get there? You are cutting some of the most vulnerable people in society off altogether.

The population of South Hylton is an increasing one with lots of new builds and many bungalows where disabled and elderly reside, not to mention the dark nights are also looming so it will be unsafe even for those who are fit to walk from the top of St Anne's bank top to the bottom or other way round.

Where was the consultation on this if any? What were the local council members doing about it? Was the city council consulted and what information did members collect from residents before giving any possible views on this?

As well as individuals, businesses at the bottom of the South Hylton bank will suffer. You can't just cut people off altogether. It's a disgrace.

This issue is affecting the health of those living in South Hylton – it's no good just diverting an extra bus that does not even go up or down the bank and very long and steep one at that!

What planet are those who took this decison actually on?
Ann,
South Hylton

Not fit for purpose?
IT would appear that as of August 10 the South Hylton bus service ceased to continue to be "fit for purpose".

From this date Stagecoach/Nexus have withdrawn the "Metro Link" number 8 bus service to South Hylton during evenings and Sundays thus denying any bus access from the Metro station at South Hylton to anywhere else in the city during these hours.

Surely under previous government plans our public transport system was to be "interlinked" thus avoiding the use of gas-guzzling cars and taxis to rescue stranded Metro passengers?

At the same time, the needs of the ever-expanding former village now "commuter belt enclave" of South Hylton community for access to hospital and social commitments during the no-bus "curfew" seem to have been ignored by those involved in "transport planning"– if such a department exists.

Does anyone stranded in South Hylton really need to consider a rowboat/ferry to get home? Mr Darby died some time ago but would have been more currently accessible than a number 8 in times of need!
Tommy T Metcalf,
Ford Estate,
Sunderland

Dozy parkers
A LETTER on Saturday, August 2 confirmed to me that an IQ test should be part of the theory driving test.

It related to a person being fined by Asda for parking in a parent and toddlers bay.

This person could see no wrong in parking in this bay because it was available. Does this person also park in disabled bays? To stop this person reeling in insanity these bays are not just to allow easier parking for shoppers with children, they are also to help prevent cars being damaged by children swinging car doors open and buggies scrapping past cars in narrow bays.

I wish Sainsbury's would start this tactic as too many shoppers think that the rules laid down on the car park are just for fun. Somehow a minority of road users do not think that rules apply to them until it adversely affects them.
Marshall Normington,
Sunderland


Emily Hulley, sister of John Robert Hulley., wishes to inform John's ex-wife Shirley Hulley and their four daughters, Amy, Tracey, Shirley and Anita, that John died on Saturday, August 16, 2008.
Could they, or anyone who knows the whereabouts of Shirley and her family, please get in contact with me very urgently for funeral arrangements.
Emily,
Tel. 0191 4310737

TO everyone who left school in the summer of 1984, we will all have celebrated our 40th birthdays. Just to let you all know that we are holding another school reunion on August Bank Holiday Sunday (24th) at the Chesters pub at 7.30pm, would love you all to come and make it a good night, teachers welcome too. contact:
Deb Smith (Howell) on 07894066545, Gary Bunting 07815514374 or Kenny (Waffles) Hutchinson 07799546789.

COULD I please just say a big thank you to the kind lady who let my son sit in her Lotus Elise car in Asda's car park today. You made a car-mad six-year-old very happy. He hasn't shut up about it since!
A very grateful mam