It surely had to be a misprint in Saturday’s Press, that 42.7 per cent supported the siting of the wheel in North Street as opposed to just 9.7 against.

One cannot believe that such numbers of local people back the placing of that ugly monstrosity in the heart of York, or anywhere else in the immediate vicinity, in fact.

Therefore, there must surely be some skulduggery going on with the council vote count – had they conveniently contracted this out to Zimbabwe?

The above figures have now given this council a virtual green light to sell the soul of this city for many pieces of silver, but our city is best viewed from the ground and if the good Lord had meant it to be viewed from above he would have given all the tourists wings.

Why not try paintballing inside the Minster – that’s sure to bring in more tourists and pennies.

Pip Burke, Osbaldwick Lane, York.


• I would like to register my strong objection to siting the Yorkshire Wheel in the park in North Street. First, it is very small site which would require considerable changes to accommodate the wheel. As it is the only park in that area of the river, cutting down or back of any trees and bushes is unwelcome. Second, the site is surrounded by buildings both commercial (the hotel, Aviva) and residential. If the new wheel has as many lights as the previous one, it will be very obtrusive. The wheel will also be out of place next to the ancient church and houses. Thirdly, there is limited parking. Fourthly, that site is very low. Even on the top of the wheel, will visitors be able to see anything?

The Press’s article of January 10 states that 42 per cent of York residents want the wheel. What you mean is that 42 per cent of those who answered the questionnaire did not object, though the exact number is not clear even as a percentage: the article simply states “many”. As only one in nine households replied at all, this is hardly a resounding endorsement. In any case, it is still less than half the residents of York.

Polly Griffith, Dringhouses, York.


• Regarding the proposal to install the next version of the Yorkshire Wheel in North Street gardens, for those not familiar with this so called “underused” area of the city, it is a short walk from Rougier Street down towards the River Ouse.

It is a very small quiet garden, with seats and paths, perfect for some peace and quite away from the hurly burly of city life, lots of trees (which will have to be felled, of course) with excellent views of the river.

The wheel would be very visible from both the nearby bridges crossing the river, Lendal Bridge and Ouse Bridge, both of which have at all times of day and evening a very heavy footfall of pedestrians.

Imagine drivers of cars and vans, passing over the bridges. The distraction for them to see the massive wheel will be very tempting, they may momentarily loose concentration and the pedestrians will then be in danger of colliding with these out-of-control vehicles.

If the council does pass the application for the Yorkshire Wheel to be in North Street gardens, I hope they will put up high screens across both bridges so that drivers may not be distracted.

This will minimise the creation of a very dangerous potential traffic hazard, and may even be required under some road or health and safety legislation dreamed up by Brussels.

As North Street does not have a massive traffic flow, the long queues of visitors to the wheel can stand along the street without causing too much of a traffic hazard, or danger to themselves.

I say this tongue in cheek, of course, but it is such a ridiculous idea to site the wheel in that small area that it should not even get to the planning application stage.

Stuart Wilson, Vesper Drive, Acomb, York.