It has been said that York has the UK’s fastest internet, but at what cost?

In the Holgate area we have had weeks of upset and we have been left with dirty and uneven pavements, ruined grass verges and graffiti all over the pavements.

If I had put as much graffiti in the city centre I would have been charged, fined and made to clean it up. The grass verges have had top soil and seed thrown on them by the same workers who dug the holes, laid the cables, laid the tarmac and filled the gutters with cement, a case of jack of all trades and master of none. Some of the local residents have looked after the grass verges in front of their houses for years only to see their hard work destroyed in a few weeks.

Will anyone from City of York Council ever walk round the area to see what has been left and take steps to ensure that the contractors put things back to near to what they were before they started.?

I doubt it.

AP Cox,

Holgate, York

School uniform rule humiliates children

Once again I agree with Peter Rickaby (Call for leeway over purchase of uniform, Letters,.August 27). Why can some schools dictate that their pupils’ uniforms are bought from a specific supplier? Why insist parents pay far more than necessary to purchase clothes with a special gold stripe or a school logo when simpler and less expensive alternatives are available?

This September can we please have no more reports of humiliated and bewildered children being sent home for wearing something that doesn’t quite meet the rules.

Is it not possible to ask that children wear a plain white or light blue shirt or collared t-shirt, with navy or grey skirt/trousers and sweater/cardigan, plus sensible black shoes regardless of style?

As people who live in a democracy, why do we accept that some schools can insist on such a narrow interpretation of their uniform? It seems to me it says more about demonstrating that the education authorities are the ones in control rather than the wish to support parents, some of whom are struggling with the considerable cost of educating their children.

Children who are happy and relaxed about attending school are going to be much more willing to study and learn. This year let us please avoid humiliating and embarrassing children and parents.

Pamela Brown,

Goodwood Grove, York

Full 50 years before Brexit benefits felt

Geoff Robb (More barrel-scraping Brexit scare stories, Letters, August 25) rightly insists that we need no fairy stories about Brexit. He and his fellow Brexit supporters assure us that it will all be worth it, although Jacob Rees-Mogg cautions that it will take 50 years for the full benefits to be felt.

Could Mr Robb describe any benefits that will be enjoyed by those of us who will not be around in 50 years’ time?

Anthony Day,

Lastingham Terrace,

York