YORK'S latest tourist attraction, the rising bollard on Stonebow, is out of action because the council has no one to monitor it.

A thought occurs. If someone is employed to watch it all day, why not do away with the bollard and ask the monitor to sit in the middle of the road?

This may seem unhelpful, however. So allow us to draft a free job advertisement. "Wanted: highway technology optical facilitator. Suit dynamic self-starter with own deckchair. Ability to keep eyes open an advantage. Must be prepared for ups and downs. Apply Guildhall."

Updated: 10:53 Friday, April 19, 2002