I REGULARLY walk on Knavesmire, and I am also a keen racing fan. As such, I have been following the progress of the new section of racetrack and I am becoming convinced that it would be of great benefit if the new full circuit were to be made permanent.

It will hardly be a blot on the landscape and would, in no way, stop anyone doing what they normally do.

On the plus side, if the four furlongs (half a mile) of existing track from Knavesmire gates to the new function behind the Swallow Hotel could be reclaimed and integrated with the Knavesmire, it would create an unbroken swathe from the hotel right through to the top end of Knavesmire Road.

This would also create many more car parking spaces on big race days. Racegoers would also benefit in a number of ways because York would be able to stage more prestigious, long-distance races in line with Ascot, Goodwood and Doncaster. Viewing would be much better because races would be run much closer to the grandstands and families who like to watch the starts would be able to get between races much more easily.

It would also enable a further exit/entrance at the Knavesmire Gate end to be established. As for the rest of the central area of Knavesmire, this would remain as it is, untouched.

What do your readers and York Racecourse committee think? They probably have this at the back of their minds anyway.

Roland Pattison,

Lindale,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 11:10 Wednesday, April 07, 2004