CARS are a necessary part of life: they help people do their personal business and go about their jobs. They provide a function which local buses can't do and provide access to local places which buses do not.
What cars aren't good at is to provide travel over long distances: they are expensive and inefficient. What I propose is an alternative for long distance travel.
The alternative is not the rail but the coach. Beeching destroyed the rail and to rebuild it would be prohibitively expensive. I propose a national coach system of, say, 10-15,000 coaches to take the burden off motorways for long distances, mainly to and from the south east.
These should not be average coaches, but luxury coaches with equal standing at least to the rail services. These coaches would only carry about 50 people. As with current coaches and rail, drinks and sandwiches would be provided.
To make them more appealing, the outside lane of any motorway should be made exclusively coach traffic and therefore their maximum speed could be increased to 90-100mph, with the middle lane still limited to 70.
The cost of setting up a system, I estimate, would be about £1billion or so, including the infrastructure necessary: somewhat more than building a power station. However the benefits are considerable: if adopted nationwide it could save the nation the running cost of an oil-fired power station every year in oil imports.
Leslie Howard,
Mowbray Road,
Sunderland
Join the group
THE following poem was put together by the seven people who attended our writers' group at the Parkside Community Centre in Seaham, with our tutor Andy Croft.
Our writers' group is looking for recruits and if anyone has an interest in writing stories or poems they will be most welcome at our future meetings, every Tuesday afternoon from 2-30pm to 5-30pm at Parkside Community Centre, Seaham. For details contact 0191-5813908
WA Place,
Write Stuff writers group
ETERNITY
AN evening sky descends to autumn gold.
The salty waves caress the endless shore.
Tall snow-capped peaks, their secrets yet untold.
Cast purple shades where lonely eagles soar.
The jewelled girdle of the midnight stars.
The patient distant blackness of the void.
Vast deserts camouflage their camelled scars.
Great natures gifts that cannot be destroyed.
Unless man's thoughtless and conniving mind,
Is humbled by the wonders of creation.
In deaths dark shadows we will be confined,
And our inheritance will be forsaken.
Though each new day another morning breaks,
Enlightenment will come when mankind wakes.
Brave, but misled
YOUR Editorial stated last month: "There are very few opportunities to thank the people who put their lives on the line for our freedom".
I dispute your assertion. Moreover, can you provide proof that I am in any way protected by the actions of the British armed forces in Iraq or Afghanistan, that directly relates to my safety?
The "war" in Iraq was prosecuted on untenable assertions, changing the "storyline" as each new revelation came out. Provide me with proof that going to war with Iraq did not in fact, make my safety more deleterious to my and my family's well-being.
Prove to me, that this war was not fought for oil rights, if you can, then you fly in the face of all the evidence to the contrary.
Brave, but misled, men and women are sacrificing their lives for oil and big business. Whether oil in Iraq, or the safety of pipelines within Afghanistan, through which oil and natural gas will flow.
I do not adhere to the assertion that, "you may be against these operations but now that our troops are committed you should get behind them and support them". What kind of two-faced drivel is this? If it was wrong before, surely it is wrong now?
Steve Colborn,
Ivy Avenue,
Seaham
Great achievement
GOOD wishes to the pupils in our schools who once again achieved outstanding results in their examinations. Whether attending primary, secondary or even college, they performed exceptionally well – well done!
Like many parents I want my children to have the best opportunity in life, but for many years there appeared to be little improvement in achievement within our schools.
To put this in perspective, when first elected as a councillor only about 30 per cent of pupils, less than one in three, were expected to achieve five A-C passes at GCSE in Sunderland. By the summer of 1997 this had hardly improved with only 34 per cent of pupils achieving this goal, compared to 45 per cent nationally. It is therefore all the more amazing to learn that the number of pupils achieving five A-C passes this year in Sunderland has reached 64 per cent, more than double the level of the early 1990s.
Once you accept the level of this transformation in achievement you begin to look at explanations to attribute to these changes. For example, is it the additional teachers or support staff in the classroom, the massive investment in new schools – 24 in the last 10 years – or the expansion of new ICT technologies? How much has the numeracy and literacy strategies in our primary schools introduced by this Government been the cause, or could it be the massive investment by this council into nursery education some 15 or so years ago, long before it was fashionable to do so, that is now having an effect?
With the right attitude and opportunity being provided by this Labour Council, in moving education ever forward, we can truly say that for our children in 2008 and beyond, the sky is the limit in what they may achieve.
Coun Paul Stewart,
Redhill Ward,
Sunderland

Still seeking details on street names
WE would like to thank everyone (the attendance sheet indicated 72 people), who came along to view our display in Hougton Library on Friday and Saturday, many as a result of Sarah Stoner's splendid article in Thursday's Echo.
Some visitors shared memories because of old photos while many participated in our local street name project. We have some very useful documented evidence.
It was encouraging to meet some young people who were interested in their local history. We are certainly hoping to increase membership of our local history group which meets in the Meeting Room at Houghton Library the fourth Thursday of each month, except July and December.
Admission, including refreshments £1, at 6.30pm followed by the speaker at 6.45pm.
Any further information on how streets may have been named (Hetton, Houghton, Newbottle, Philadelphia, Success, Penshaw) may be left in Houghton Library.
Our thanks to the staff of Houghton Library for facilitating our group/events and to Ron Young who continues to support us by advertising our local history programme in the Houghton Neighbourhood News.
Brenda Graham and Bernice Beckwith
Houghton
Nothing changes
THE following letter was sent to the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation (TWDC) years ago when the Sunderland North Area Local Plan (SNALP) was under inspection in a public inquiry by the then, Tory Government's planning inspectorate.
The response to this letter was that the council had adopted the Deptford route and that planned use of land had been determined. A spokesman in the Bridge House office of the TWDC stated that there would be no funds for a new Wear bridge.
An objector to SNALP, named R Taylor, made a written submission to the Government inspectors that the Deptford bridge was impractical and objected strongly that the people of Fulwell and Seaburn were excluded from the consultation process. Perhaps R Taylor is still a Sunderland resident?
Nothing has changed in the last twenty years… What public consultation is there?

To Mr Alastair Balls, TWDC, Chief Executive:
CONTRARY to previous reports, it is good to see that the needs of the public are being taken into account at the Hylton Colliery site and that a hotel (possibly) that a marina and retail facilities are planned; at least these features of the Coal Board's plan for their Hylton Colliery site remains.
However the absence of a new bridge linking the ring road and the outer ring road (south side) through Castletown to Heworth is a serious deficiency. There is a dire need for a crossing here for people on both side of the river.
It is easy to see that the planners can only think in terms of " public transport" profits..
It is easy to see that the TWDC are controlled by the local business barons whose vested interests demand perverse road networks and public transport arrangements "so that people exist to maintain the bus services and existing retail outlets"… Anti-social engineering.
For decades, the means have become the end. A new bridge from Castletown to Pallion at Claxheugh rock would set people free and do more to remove the endemic unemployment than any other public work
The TWDC is already a failure with this omission.
Ron McQuillan,
Castletown Ward Liberal Democrats
Meeting the man
YA knaa Missus! One gans intiv a canny caff at Wolsingham like. Nee hexpense spared, cos ah've friends in igh places, at the Nash. Lo and behold! There woz this posh gadgee tarkin ta Julie about Sunderland, in particular Millfield and 'ylton Road. 'E also went on about Suddick and didn't give them the lickins of a dog. Good job 'e didn't mention Hendon.
So, Missus! Ah telt im that Sunderland is a canny place like. 'E sez: "Are you Little Billy Craggs?" So this posh gadgee knarred whee ah is like. So 'E sharred me is business card.
Missus! Ah woz flabbergasted. It woz the organ grinder imself. The de-luxe Sunderland wind-up merchant Mick Brown.
Missus! It woz like meeting Dr Livingstone. Ya knaa Missus!
Little Billy Craggs
Leash those dogs
FOLLOWING an incident where my dog and myself were attacked by two large and powerful dogs, I had two further occurrences similar to this nature a few days later. Why? because each of these dogs were unleashed.
The first confrontation is being dealt with legally, as my dog needed surgery for his wounds and I was treated at hospital for my injury and threatened by the owner.
Then while my daughter and I were walking along Sunderland seafront on September 7, at about 12.15 with my dog attached to his leash, a black spaniel type dog who was not on a leash, came over and attacked my dog. I didn't want to hit the dog with anything so I directed a can of air freshener at the animal and it backed off. The owner of this dog, a woman in about her forties, in front of witnesses, blamed my dog for the disturbance, but could not think of anything to say when I mentioned her dog being unleashed.
The next incident happened the next day. After taking my daughter to school, I decided on another route in which to exercise my dog. In Mere Knolls cemetery at Seaburn, where I saw the sign "keep dogs on a leash" or words to that effect. A border collie who again was not on its leash, approached my dog and displayed vicious tendencies. Again not wishing to hurt this dog, I sprayed the air freshener towards the dog, and immediately the owner who was a pensioner directed verbal obscenities towards me, again putting the onus on my dog. When I pointed out the signs about owners keeping their dogs on a leash, in front of people who had seen what happened, she walked off in the opposite direction red-faced.
If these dogs were kept on their leashes, none of these incidents would have occurred.
Name and address supplied
DESTRUCTION
O Cigarette, you were lonely
Trying to kill me on your own
And I know how it feels to
Struggle on each day, alone.
So I found you a companion,
A soul-mate and a 'wife'
A lethal weapon, just like you –
To shorten length of life.
She is addictive, like yourself
A siren, and a doll
Her name is so familiar,
She is known as Alcohol.
Between you, you will do the deed
At your own pace, which is – great speed
I do not care where you came from
But wish you never had been born.
(Anon)
Sunderland.
Living with blindness
LAYING a blind character in a current BBC TV series has given me an insight into what it might be like to live with blindness.
In preparation, I met blind and partially sighted people who showed me how they successfully go about their lives. But it also made me value my sight.
Every day in the UK, 100 people begin to lose their sight, but shockingly half of sight loss can be avoided. That's why I'm supporting RNIB's Eye Health Week. The charity is encouraging us all to look after our eyes by getting regular eye tests, not smoking and eating our vegetables.
Regular eye tests are particularly important if you're Asian, African or Afro-Caribbean as you are more at risk of certain eye diseases. An eye test can spot a sight-threatening condition before you know you've got it and could save your sight!
For more information go to www.rnib.org.uk or call RNIB's Helpline on 0845 766 9999.
Meera Syal,
RNIB Supporter

WELL done to Mr Prest – at last we have another sensible approach (like St.Anthony's) where the pupils are kept in at lunchtime!! Thank goodness I can now go to Pennywell Shops at lunchtime without being swamped with "rowdy" school kids!!
Zero-tolerance approach can only be a good thing – Hopefully the school should now become a well-respected educational establishment where parents are proud to send their children.
J Watt
Grindon
Sunderland.

I AGREE with "Disgusted Customer" who commented on the "appalling service" by some members of staff in shops etc. It really annoys me when I am being served by someone who continues to chat to another person and barely gives me eye contact, never mind talking to me!! This has happened on numerous occasions.
The worst example was in a discount shop in Fulwell recently, when the guy behind the counter continued to hold a conversation on his mobile phone, whilst serving me and giving me my change. He never actually spoke or looked at me at all – can you believe it!
Needless to say, I will not be patronising that shop again!!
Never again,
Sunderland

I WOULD like to thank Tommy and all his staff at Piers View Home, Roker, for all the love and care they gave to my sister Myra. She's rather poorly but they make everyday worthwhile for her, nothing's a bother to them. What a lovely place it is, so on behalf of me, my sisters Joyce and Jean, thanks a million to you all.
Belle,
Grangetown,
Sunderland

I WOULD like to ask Echo readers if they can help me to get a copy or print of a painting called Reunion. A young male angel is seen taking a young woman up to heaven and the artist is E.Harington or E Hartington, from approximately 1930. It was featured on Dickenson's Real Deal earlier this year. But as of now I've been unable to obtain this painting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
P Perkins,
Ryhope,
Sunderland

I HAVE noticed an uncanny amount of car back brake lights not working for some time now and thought some note on the letters page may be appropriate to hi-light this for readers especially with the darker weather coming in.
Alpha Lighting

I WENT along to the Ivy Leaf Club on September 3 to see my mate's final concert with another three great acts. The place was packed out
One of my all-time favourite club singers Stevie Lavell started the show off as usual. Brilliant. He was followed by the two girls Doli Mix, as good as ever. Then a young up and coming singer Hayley recently progressing singer, then bingo, a buffet, and Bobby doing one hour of Cliff and The Shadows tunes. I've asked him to make a DVD. His guitar work is as good as the top boys and he's so modest with it.
Good luck Bob and all the top-class acts that supported you. Last, but not least, an appearance by the legendary Bobby Knoxall and his wife Diane made it a great night out.
Tip,
Ward Court,
Sunderland