Sir, – Last week I had the pleasure of driving football teams from Bedale High School in a 57-seater coach for a fixture at Stokesley School. Leaving Bedale at 3.30pm, we were met by a temporary road diversion sign in Northallerton indicating that there was no access to the A19 northbound and to follow the yellow diversion signs.

A normal 40-minute journey turned into a 70-minute journey resulting in games of football having to be reduced to 45 minutes as darkness set in and a late arrival back to Bedale.

The diversion took us the scenic way via Great Smeaton, Yarm, Kirklevington and Crathorne before we reached the A19 and a five-mile drive south to meet up with the Stokesley road. Imagine our surprise when we arrived at Stokesley to be greeted by Bedale parents who had travelled by car the “normal” way through Northallerton and had not experienced any delays on the A19 northbound.

Speaking with someone at County Hall, I was told that they too had been misled by the diversion signs which should say “between 8pm-6am”. I hope the powers that be will amend the diversion signs so law-abiding drivers will be get better information about road closures in the future.

MARTYN COOMBS

Bedale.