THE floods of 2000 did not help the condition of the Bonding Warehouse, but they were not the reason for its current state.

It had been empty and derelict for years before that. (The Press, June 2).

Nick Derbyshire, South Esplanade, York.

• I WAS sorry to see that the Bonding Warehouse was in trouble and that the property is likely to be on the market again (The Press, June 2).

It would be a great idea if the New Waterways charity (presently British Waterways) could buy the property and develop into a commercial property, but including facilities for boaters.

British Waterways could not carry out such a development on its own, however, but in partnership with the private sector, City of York Council and the Regional Growth Fund (The Press, Page 2, same date).

There is a real lack of facilities for boaters in York, compared to Ripon.

The people who maintain the minimal facilities in York that are next to Lendal Bridge are to be thanked for keeping the facilities clean and well maintained. So our thanks to the private company Mitie and to the officers of the council for doing a grand job in impossible circumstances.

The Georgian pump station is being renovated, but the proposed new restaurant is no nearer the horizon, and with it improved basic provision for boaters.

So let us up our game and grasp the opportunity provided by the Bonding Warehouse.

Tony Martin (chair, North Riding branch Inland Waterways Association), Clarence Street, York.