DR WATKINSON is right (Letters, January 18). The recently installed gate on the city walls near Lendal Bridge is a brute and the York Civic Trust complained about it to City of York Council as soon as it was erected.

We understand it was installed as a reaction to two accidents reported on this section of the walls in December, and is a temporary expedient. Starting in February new railings are to be installed on this section, the last section identified in a Health and Safety audit as in need of guarding.

After this the gate will be removed. We earnestly hope the new railings – of which we have not seen the design – will be a more sympathetic answer.

Peter Addyman, Chairman, York Civic Trust.