WHEN Matthew Stamp stated that the lovely riverside walk from Scarborough Bridge and along the side of the Museum Gardens is unnoticed and under-used, by visitors and locals alike, I couldn’t believe what I was reading (Letters, January 16).

Has he never watched families enjoying feeding the ducks, buying ice creams from the ice cream van, sitting on the benches with a picnic, waiting to board the tour boats, dining at the Star Inn In The City, enjoying the canal boat café, sitting on the steps reading or just taking in the view.

Not to mention the visitors mooring up in their narrow boats and the local boat owners mooring up to raise a glass to what Matthew called “the best part of the river bank, quiet and peaceful and enjoying stunning views of York and the skyline”.

To suggest vandalising this unique area with eateries, a visitor centre and regular events would completely destroy exactly the things he is admiring.

Barbara Welch, Grange Lane, York