Whenever I have travelled by train the ticket staff at York Station have fallen over backwards to find me the best price by splitting my ticket. Will the automatic ticket machines do the same? Please retain the ticket staff, they are invaluable.

Elizabeth Hardcastle, Thief Lane, York

Customers should be consulted first

I refer to your article ‘Rail ticket sales to be self-service’ (The Press, May 13). A spokesman for Virgin trains says any proposed changes will be communicated ‘first and foremost to our people for full consultation’. Maybe the first people who should be consulted are the travelling customers.

Why does everything have to be automated with no soul? I remember when arriving back into Heathrow wanting tickets for the underground to Kings Cross we tried the machines but eventually went to the only counter with real people and they issued the tickets.

If we are not careful, no one will communicate with anyone, it will all be done by machines.

Maureen Robinson, Broadway, York

Don’t desecrate city with ugly junk yard

I cannot believe that York, which is such a beautiful old city, is going to be degraded with shipping containers dishing out food.

The people behind the idea said they had got it from visiting Christchurch in New Zealand - well news flash!

That was set up because of the result of an earthquake. We haven’t had an earthquake in York, we don’t need to desecrate the city with a load of shipping containers, let alone the noise, mess and rubbish that is bound to arise from having it there.

We will always welcome development in the city - but please keep it tasteful not make it a metal junk yard just to be “with it”.

Mrs Lynette Mills, Oxtoby Court, Fishergate, York

Just when you think it can’t get worse...

WELL done Mr Laverack. It is about time someone cared about this historical city.

Thirty-five years ago we came to live in York.

Leaving the station I looked to my left and saw the Minster in all its glory basking in sunshine. What a beautiful sight.

However, over the years shops have closed, gone out of town leaving us with numerous restaurants, wine bars, cafes, £1 shops and student accommodation not to mention charity shops.

Just when you think it cannot get any worse, “how low can you get” – shipping container cafes.

Replacing one eyesore with a worse one.

I rest my case m’lord.

M Smith, Hardrada Way, Stamford Bridge