Sir, – I refer to the recent letters against the proposed Gateway car park in Bedale (D&S Times, Oct 10, 17 and 24).

I read with particular interest the letter last week from Gerald Bunting explaining how the Gateway car park is "too far out of town" and that "old people and young children will not want to walk such a long distance." I wondered if these claims were true or simply scaremongering so, as a pedant at heart, I carried out a simple, but not scientific survey last Friday.

I walked from the ticket machine in the auction mart car park (which had three cars in it) to the market cross and it was 320 steps and took me three minutes. For more elderly people this journey is uphill and involves having to cross the busy A684 on Bridge Street.

I then walked from the market cross to the entrance to the golf club which is more or less where the Gateway car park pedestrian access will be and it was slightly further at 395 paces and it took an additional 25 seconds, presumably because it is on the flat with no roads to cross.

Let us once and for all put to bed the argument that the proposed Gateway car park is too far out of town. It isn’t. Yes, it is very slightly longer but it is a far more pleasant walk past Bedale park, the magnificent St Gregory’s Church and Bedale Hall with tremendous views throughout the walk of the market cross and the wide, cobbled market place.

The argument should be about whether the auction mart car park is used to capacity and if it is, keep it. If it isn’t, then sacrifice this car park for the proposed Gateway car park.

H MARTYN COOMBS

Bedale.