HUGH Bayley is absolutely right to criticise the new flood maps (October 8).

I checked the area where I live, mindful of the Environment Agency's boast that individual post-coded areas could be identified. What rubbish!

Having typed in my postcode, I obtained a map at no bigger scale than the average road atlas and containing the same level of detail. It is impossible to identify any of the properties in my area as the relevant part of the map has the abbreviation 'Mus' filling the space.

I then tried the "learn more" button. I certainly learnt more. On clicking on Clifford's Tower, which is shown in the blue area of the map, I learnt it had a low flood risk. As this is one of the higher points in York this was not very reassuring.

I then went on to discover that the roadway on Skeldergate Bridge has a moderate risk of flooding, while Ouse Bridge roadway, at pretty much the same level, has a significant risk.

This is a shoddy piece of work which does nothing to increase anyone's confidence in the Environment Agency.

Nick Derbyshire,

South Esplanade,

York.

Updated: 08:55 Wednesday, October 13, 2004