I READ the letter from Barry Rennison (Letters December 1) where he asks why “are there no local tradesmen in York?”, referring to City of York Council.

It was not too long ago that late one evening, three concrete lamp posts mysteriously, and suddenly fell down in our street, and the council were informed, but to our surprise the repair men came from Newcastle.

They came in the middle of the night to remove the old lampposts, and then came a few days later to fit new metal ones.

What a journey they must have had in their van, 100 miles from Newcastle to York, then 100 miles back again. What a waste of time. These guys must have been driving five hours to work for one hour. Where have all the local workmen gone, I wonder?

Stuart Wilson, Vesper Drive, Acomb, York.