Mr Wilkinson says he is not aware of any adverse publicity to the effect that children have been trapped or maimed (no one ever claimed they could be maimed) by barriers at London Underground stations (“It’s time to end rail opposition”, Letters, May 23), but this does not mean that it has not happened.

The train company First Capital Connect is obviously aware of such cases at its stations. This is why it has published posters warning passengers to take their children through the wide gates, because a child getting caught in a closing barrier could be seriously injured.

Mr Wilkinson also suggests that there is no valid case against barriers. He only has to look on the City of York Council planning website to find more than 300 people have put forward many extremely convincing arguments against this planning application.

For example, what about problems encountered by people with disabilities attempting to negotiate ticket machines and an intercom at the Leeman Road and long-stay car park entrances?

What about those denied access to the platforms when they wish to buy a Grand Central ticket on the train; or the crush encountered by those trying to leave the station having alighted from a full London train; or the increased congestion as many more people than now have to enter the station at the front entrance; or, the frustration as your perfectly valid ticket does not allow you through the barrier?

And why will we have to put up with all this? So National Express might save a small amount of revenue, that it would save anyway if it just checked tickets more efficiently on the train?

These are just some of many valid reasons why we will not stop fighting until the city council has turned down this application.

Verna Campbell, Chair, CABYS (Campaign Against Barriers at York Station) cabys@live.co.uk, Fulford Park, Fulford, York.