A good deal has been written in The Press about the work being carried out in King’s Square and there seems to be almost universal agreement that the result has been hugely disappointing. Given the historical significance and character of the square, those who have described it as “a disaster” are probably nearer the truth.

If you stand on the opposite side of the square and look across towards York’s Chocolate Story, you might now be looking at any modern shopping precinct anywhere in any city.

The problem has largely been the wholly inappropriate choice of paving and the council officials responsible appear unable, or unwilling, to accept they have got it wrong. Suggestions that this paving was essential in the interests of public safety were nonsensical. The city’s experienced conservation engineers and planning officers of 20 years ago would never have allowed this to happen.

This is one of the worrying aspects of the situation. If the officials seriously think the paving work being done in King’s Square is appropriate, what further afflictions might now be in store for elsewhere in the city? The only conclusion can be that these people are either in the wrong job or else working in the wrong kind of city.

John Nursey, Flaxton, York.

 

• ALL the money spent on King’s Square and where are the Christmas Lights? Surely the trees could be lit. It’s disgraceful.

S Smith, Lang Avenue, York.