IT is a very depressing week of news for residents in all parts of "our area".

If you live in south Craven, there is the news that the county council has given up all hope of solving the chronic problems of the Kildwick railway crossing which leaves Cross Hills gridlocked like central London whenever the gates are down (which can be 50 minutes in every hour).

If you live in Skipton then you're probably fed up with hearing about "imminent" improvements to the town's tatty, decrepit bus station. But now that work has been put back - yet again.

In north Craven a paper mill is closing, swamped by the tide of cheap imports. It will have a devastating effect on those whose jobs will go but also on the wider community, as cash collected from waste paper funds the local swimming pool.

Even in west Craven the news is not good. A pointless town referendum attracted just 87 people to vote - a cost to the local people of more than £20 for each cross on ap ballot paper.

Doubtless our readers will let us know of their collective and individual fury.

We can only underline our recent comments. The authorities seem pretty good at laying down pretty red and green patches on our roads. They are also good at dreaming up ideas for unwanted slabs of concrete and bollards all over the place in the name of "traffic calming". But when it comes to the really serious issues of doing something about the long delays at Kildwick railway crossing or sorting out the grotty bus station their track record is pathetic.