YORK is an exceptional city, few others in Britain possess such a wealth of history which is so accessible.

Justifiably it has a well-deserved place in the affections of its many visitors. It is a source of pride to most of us who are fortunate enough to live here.

But any town or city is more than its buildings or history. Visitors' first impressions are gained as they enter the city by train, car or bus.

What a sad impression York makes here; traffic islands are poorly gardened, few are landscaped and all are covered in rank weeds and seedlings giving the appearance of set-aside fields. Apart from the occasional strimming and on some of the roundabouts, an economical and inartistic planting of annuals, no signs of care are evident.

One can see signs that someone in the city council has, sometime in the past, recognised that attractive gardening of these roundabouts was desirable.

We catch glimpses of half hidden boards in the undergrowth, advertising the sponsor's original commitment to giving visitors a favourable impression of the city and one can only imagine these firms' disappointment at the failure of this venture.

I am not asking for the moon; towns and cities around us do it so much better as anyone visiting Leeds, Knaresborough or Ripon (and dare I mention Harrogate?) will know.

In those towns the city fathers recognise the importance of first impressions.

Are we in York complacent or does the problem lie with the City Council?

Mrs P Craven,

Main Street,

Nether Poppleton,

York.

Updated: 11:03 Monday, October 07, 2002