THE launch of the York Museums Trust, reported in the Press last Friday, prompts a suggestion for the perfect solution to what to do about the Castle car park.

Give the car park to the trust as an additional facility for the use not only of the trust at the Castle Museum but of English Heritage at Clifford's Tower as well.

The restoration of the car park as an open space would result in the reinstatement of the ancient castle precinct - once again uniting all its buildings in their historic setting.

The castle site is symbolic of York's importance in national affairs of state, much of which is forgotten by people, or not known.

The restoration of the precinct would give us a space in which the story of the city could be told.

A pyrotechnic display could reflect the accidental blowing up of Clifford's Tower in 1684; there could be re-enactments of Dick Turpin's trial in front of the court building in which it originally took place; interactive panels could demonstrate electoral hustings held at the Eye of York in the 19th century.

It would be a great education resource.

And if the restoration of the precinct were linked to improvements the trust must be planning for the Castle Museum, it could attract Lotto cash, perhaps from the New Opportunities fund.

People may even be prepared to make a donation to a restoration fund, if one were set up.

Let us not lose sight of this exciting possibility as we wait for a favourable outcome from the Coppergate inquiry.

Alison Sinclair,

Norfolk Street, York.

...A PRESS report (October 7) explained pollution in several areas of York are so "close to breaching acceptable" levels that City of York Council will have to draw up an action plan.

And a letter from council planner Roy Templeman the same day makes the absurd claim that the proposed Coppergate II shopping mall is environmentally sustainable, despite the fact it will attract thousands more cars into an already congested city centre.

This is clearly nonsense. When will the council admit the proposed mall will increase pollution? We should not have to wait until the traffic on Fishergate is as bad as it is in Bootham.

All Coppergate II will 'sustain' are profits for Land Securities and unacceptable pollution for York residents.

Dave Berkeley,

Tower Place, York.

Updated: 10:16 Wednesday, October 09, 2002