Presenting the narrowing of criteria for low-emission discounts on Respark permits as ‘green’ will effectively abolish the discount and raise questions about our Clean Air Strategy (Changes to fees ‘will hit older cars’, The Press, November 13).

The changes would effectively exclude even owners of small cars like Fiat 500, Renault Clio, Smart etc, from the discount and 1,100 residents with such small lower emission vehicles will face a doubling of their annual permit cost.

What if residents on terraced streets could afford to buy a new ‘ultra-low emission vehicle’ (ULEV are all hybrids or fully electric)? What is the council strategy for providing on-street charging? If the proposal included a ‘sliding scale’ with an intermediate band for 75kg -120kg that might be better, but sneaking this in with no consultation is neither acceptable nor ‘green’.

We are told decisions on introducing a ‘clean air zone’ depend on whether bus companies can afford ULEV, yet residents can have higher charges foisted on them. I am leading a scrutiny of York’s residents’ parking scheme, questioning why we charge more than many authorities, deterring areas crying out for controls from voting for Respark.

Commuters should use Park&Ride, not narrow terraced streets.

Cllr Andy D’Agorne,

Green group leader,

Broadway West, York

First World War relic revived memories

Seeing Mr Stuart Wilson’s letter and photo in the press (Beautiful relic from the First World War, November 9) was a surprise, because we have a very similar coal scuttle with lots of engravings.

My grandfather was the blacksmith and farrier at Sessay near Thirsk. He volunteered in 1916 and served for two years.

Ruth Hall,

Wolsey Drive, Bishopthorpe,

York