FOLLOWING previous letters regarding public toilets in York (Letters, June 13), for which you now have to pay, I wish to echo the views of a previous correspondent who said the ones in Castlegate are just the same as they were when free to use.

The only improvement in the men’s facilities is a new hand-drier that works. In the cubicles, however, there is still only one toilet with a seat.

If this is occupied you have to sit on a stainless steel bowl, which is not only uncomfortable but surely unhygienic.

Peter Donnelly, Swan Court, Piccadilly, York

 

IS KING’S Square a free parking lot these days?

One quiet evening while walking there recently I noticed more parked cars than usual.

Suddenly I felt a swirling wind. Above my head I heard a noise of, “beep beep”, and abruptly a UFO landed in front of me. Out of it stepped a silver suited man followed by an army of Roman soldiers.

“I’m sorry,” I said, “but you can’t park here; this is restricted for disabled drivers.”

His smile was too cocky for my liking. “It’s official: you can park for free in King’s Square!”

I looked wild-eyed as I searched for the double yellow lines that used to be there. There were none, not even a parking restriction notice. “Your facts are perfectly correct,” I said in a shocked voice.

This may sound like a very tall story but the new pavement in King’s Square appears like what it is: a pavement. To the motorist turning into it, however, they see it only as a road to speed along or to park on.

Why hasn’t this area been pedestrianised?

Phil Shepherdson, Chantry Close, Woodthorpe, York

 

FOR much of my 32-year teaching career at Huntington School, I was responsible for guiding students who were applying for higher education.

Some were deterred by Labour’s introduction of tuition fees in 1998, and this became worse after they were trebled in 2010, particularly among students from less affluent backgrounds.

However, I was able to point to the introduction of grants (at the insistence of the Liberal Democrats) for students from poorer backgrounds.

As a result of this, the number of students from poorer backgrounds in HE increased by nine per cent.

Last week, the Conservative Government announced that they were planning to remove these grants, which will mean that many young people from disadvantaged backgrounds may now be unable to access university.

This is a cynical and disgraceful attack on the less fortunate. It will be fine for those from affluent (probably Conservative-voting) families where mummy and daddy can offer financial help, but for the talented poor who wish to study in HE, it will be a disaster.

I thought that the Conservatives portrayed themselves as the party that encouraged people to better themselves.

Clearly, this is wrong. They want to reserve that privilege solely for the wealthy.

Tony Fisher, Liberal Democrat campaigner, Strensall ward, York

 

ON THE point of opening a Haxby and Strensall rail station on the Scarborough branch line, the debate seems to be losing steam reading Peter Coates’ letter (The Press, June 16).

However, with the recent joining of Scarborough and York hospitals, and patients from York and Scarborough hospitals being transferred, plus clinic appointments, could there be a place for a York Hospital halt station to support future patients from both caring establishments?

Do you think a service of a medical nature would benefit all within the community?

Keith Chapman, Custance Walk, York

 

AS A longstanding Haxby resident, I can remember when it had an operational station and enjoyed many trips to Scarborough.

However, it runs in my mind, after full consultation with the village and City of York Council, plans were agreed to open it again as a half with two platforms up and down, like Poppleton.

This was scuppered by British Rail having no money, and local councillors gave in. So there is an agreement and plans to open it again somewhere.

I must take issue with P Coates (Letters, June 16) on this bus service (13/13a), to be withdrawn in August.

I travel by rail from London in one hour and 40 minutes. It then takes another hour to get the five miles home. I wanted the 7.37am to London and had to leave home at 6.40am.

As for extra buses to add to the already polluted roads, it has already been established the traffic is on the increase, so why add more buses to it?

To open Haxby as a halt is a must for many reasons. Ease congestion and pollution, and save time.

R S Pearson, Towthorpe Road, Haxby, York