I AM happy to apologise to Jim Taylor of Yorkshire Housing (Letters, September 4) for mistakenly referring to that organisation instead of York Housing.

For the avoidance of

doubt my grievance is with the organisation that

masterminded the

relocation of the Arc Light hostel from Leeman Road to Union Terrace but now wants to sell up and walk away; leaving locals in The Groves to continue to suffer reduced car parking and the problems this facility frequently brings.

What is particularly galling is that Arc Light said they had to move because their old building was about to be demolished as part of the York Central (teardrop) redevelopment.

But that building is still standing 10 years later and, moreover, despite all the hype about York Central about to finally make progress, the reality is that it could easily be another 10 years before the bulldozers move in, if they ever do.

Arc Light should have stayed where it was for considerably longer and York council should not have been so willing to rush to sacrifice prime land for an establishment which many locals vigorously opposed and wished had never been foisted upon them.

Matthew Laverack,

Lord Mayors Walk, York

Cook is the last of a rare cricketing breed

Alastair Cook, one of England’s finest cricketers, has announced his retirement from international duties.

His record speaks for itself, but his decision to retire could prompt an obituary for Test match cricket.

Today’s young players lack the interest, required patience, or talent to attain the heights of success achieved by such a supreme player.

He has to be the last of a wonder breed spanning from W G Grace to Alastair Cook.

Peter Rickaby,

West Park, Selby

England owe a debt to Yorkshire cricket

BY winning the fourth Test at the Ageas Bowl, England have won the series against India, with Moeen Ali named man of the match.

I feel that Joe Root, the England captain, the Test selectors and Moeen himself, owe Yorkshire County Cricket Club an immense debt of gratitude for giving Moeen four days of batting and bowling practice at Scarborough recently. He went on to score 219 runs and took eight wickets.

Over the years great Yorkshire and England players have graced Scarborough cricket ground with some outstanding performances.

To name but a few, G Hirst, W Rhodes, H Sutcliffe, M Leyland, H Verity, L Hutton, F Trueman and Bob Appleyard, each one a true legend in his own right.

I would welcome any readers’ views and opinions as to why Yorkshire are such a rubbish team at present.

Mike Kitching, Old Malton

I’m sceptical about promotion delays

I WRITE regarding your recent readers’ comments about the rugby league promotion situation.

The rugby league rulers are now considering whether to promote one club or two from York City Knights’ division.

I notice they only came up with this idea when York went top over Bradford, who had seemed certainties to win the league.

Why are they still considering it? Could it be they are waiting to see if Bradford can return to the top?

I don’t know whether I am being overly suspicious but I would put cash on it that, if York finish top, two clubs go up - but not if Bradford finish top.

Why can’t they say now before the season ends?

Tony Leadbetter,

New Earswick, York