Sir, - The No 34 bus service between Richmond, Catterick and Darlington is certainly doomed to closure as it stands.

The issue is not merely about more people using the existing service, but how it could be improved.

Do people realise that this service links all the major housing areas of Richmondshire - Richmond, the Garrison, Colburn, Catterick, Brompton-on- Swale and Scorton with Darlington?

It should be a 30-minute, alternative circular route running right up to 11pm and making certain that every journey included a stop at Darlington railway station.

This could be acheived by merging the X26, 27 and 28 with the 34. If a timetable was put through the front door of every house on the route, then people would use it.

This is what Arriva should be considering doing and if not, maybe another operator might be willing to do so.

TONY PELTON High Green, Catterick Village.