IT has just become clear why York home owners are paying too much council tax. Picture the scene, a night out in the car going to the pub to watch the game. Time 7.30pm, outside temperature 10C, sky cloudy.

Driving up Carr Lane, Acomb, I see flashing orange lights in the distance. A few seconds later, lo and behold, a wagon out gritting.

Next morning I set off to work in the car, temperature outside 4C, no sign of Jack Frost anywhere. Can someone please tell me who authorises the gritters to go out? And where do they get there information from as the national weather forecast for that night was no frost?

What a complete and utter waste of taxpayers' money.

Paul Johnson,

Welton Avenue,

Boroughbridge Road, York.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, February 08, 2005