Readers will read with interest the letter from our County Councillors who proclaim that Aycliffe is the County’s Focus for the Future (page 14).
Many like me will reply “AND IT’S ABOUT TIME!” For too long the emphasis has been about the County around Durham City and elsewhere, who have benefitted in so many ways while we have been neglected.
At times it would seem Newton Aycliffe has fallen of the edge of the County boundary, fuelling the idea that we would be better off as part of Darlington Borough. A good example is the Council magazine which very rarely has any information about Aycliffe.
Aycliffe has so much going for it situated so close to the motorway, railway and airport. It has thrived due to its own ambition rather than any real interest shown by the County Council.
Our Councillors have found it hard to fight our corner being only seven out of a total of 126 councillors. If you have a cabinet post in the Council your chance of getting something done for your town is increased. Take Shildon for instance, who have a cabinet member in Brian Stephens. It has just been announced they are to have another town centre refurbishment.
Other large investments have been made in areas of the county, introducing retail parks when Aycliffe, with a real need and a prime site on our Business Park, have been denied the opportunity.
We blame the County Council for maintaining the former Aycliffe Development Corporation’s stance in reserving our industrial area for manufacturing.
Over the last 30 years Retail Parks have sprung up around us and have grown rich from Aycliffe’s residents forced to travel out of town to obtain the goods they require.
The only really good thing heard in praise of the County Council is how well they look after our grass and floral areas.
The gardening staff are often commended for the beautiful displays and well tended green areas of the town.
The real complaint is the corridors of power appearing too far away and the remote feeling we get, even though our local councillors do their utmost to make up for this with walkabouts, attendance at PACT meetings and their general good accessability.
We now hope this is a turning point in recognising Aycliffe as one of the biggest towns in the county and we will, at last, get a fairer share of the contribution we make to Co. Durham.