Who will pay for our pollution problems?

SADLY, Cllr Peter Dew deliberately asks the wrong question “who will pay for the electric buses in York?”, implying further pollution is a necessary and unavoidable price to be paid for York’s residents (Letters, September 15).

Far from being simplistic, Cllr Andy D’Agorne raises a profoundly important issue which raises two questions.

The first is “who will pay for the continued pollution and congestion in York?”

The answer as it stands is not only ourselves, our children and grandchildren, but most often those who live in the most built up, congested and deprived areas.

That triggers the second question which should be: “How do we pay for the electric buses in York?”

Not the magic money tree Cllr Dew invokes for sure, but certainly it is not beyond the wit of man to find a fair and progressive scheme of business and personal taxation that protects those most endangered by congestion and pollution.

So rather than throw his hands in the air in a mood of dismal hopelessness, Cllr Dew should be more constructive in proposing solutions rather than castigating fellow members.

Richard Bridge, Holgate Road, York

There’s no change in attitudes on litter

I SAW the response of York Civic Trust chief executive David Fraser to the problem of litter in York (The Press, September 15).

The reason there is less litter in Stonegate is because people are dumping around full litter bins in nearby streets, not because of changing attitudes.

It is the first place they a find a bin to dispose of rubbish, full or not.

Keith Conway Jones, Whernside Avenue, Burnholme, York

Pavement hazards should take priority

A-BOARDS versus pavement trip hazards. What’s the priority?

Over the last few weeks, I have seen debate over the fact that City of York Council are planning to ban A-frame advertising boards.

I also note two letters from readers who have fallen due to uneven footpath surfaces (The Press, September 15).

I think City of York Council should revisit this and decide what is the priority.

When I walk to town along Haxby Road, Clarence Street and Gillygate, without a doubt the poor state of the pavements are a far greater hazard than the boards.

I suspect most other routes are as well.

Oh, I forgot, repairing footpaths for the citizens costs money.

Whereas hitting local businesses by banning the A-frames doesn’t.

Andy Knowles, Vyner Street, York

‘Texters’ pose more threat than A-boards

PEOPLE texting on mobile phones are more of a danger to footpath users than A-boards will ever be.

I got bowled into by a texter the other day and didn’t even get an apology, until I gave them a good old fashioned talking to.

What’s it coming to?

Ken Holmes, Cliffe Common, Selby

Short-changed over MOD land sale plan

I WONDER if the Government will feel short-changed if they only make £225 on the sale of 1,200 hectares of surplus public land and facilities in the defence estate (The Press, September 8).

I wonder if it is a typing error and it should have had some noughts after it. If not they will not be able to build a shed never mind 17,000 homes.

Maureen Robinson, Broadway, York

  • Editor’s note: Apologies for the error Maureen, the figure should have read £225 million.