Another week goes by and another levy on the public gets proposed by the council (Idling drivers to be fined £20, February 1).

As if fuel duty and the VAT being burned by exercising your right to turn your car engine on wasn’t enough of a financial incentive to use them only when needed, the same old environmental arguments are being wheeled out to justify another ludicrous and totally impractical scheme to mug the public.

The only reason for this proposal is there’s an election coming up and the council don’t wish to appear idle themselves.

If they want to stop emissions being needlessly caused by idle vehicles then they need to stop shovelling money on token gestures like this and get the traffic that doesn’t wish to be stationary moving, a concept totally against the current policy of the council’s transport officers.

Then there’s the question of expanding the number of houses in the city. These will produce far more pollution and congestion than a handful of wasteful drivers fortunate enough to find a place where they can actually park a car without being charged for it.

Amazing how these arguments are conveniently forgotten when wealthy corporations start eyeing up our Green Belt for development.

Let’s see if the politicians decide to mention these environmental considerations when debating the planning application next to Askham Bog.

Dr Scott Marmion, Woodthorpe, York

Tourists might want something for a £1

HAS it occurred to those calling for a charge on tourists that visitors might expect something for their money?

Having to fork out £1 a night on top of accommodation, meals, drinks, taxis, buses, boats, souvenirs and entry fees to most attractions, those tourists, who are now the lifeblood of York’s economy, might consider it not unreasonable to receive something tangible in return.

For example, decent free public lavatories that are properly cleaned and maintained every day.

Matthew Laverack,

Lord Mayors Walk, York