COUNCIL leader Steve Galloway has predictably tried to blame the delays in the Barbican redevelopment on the court case taken out by the Save Our Barbican Campaign (June 14).

However, it seems to me the real blame for this sorry saga lies with him.

The Liberal Democrats insisted on pushing ahead with their redevelopment plans despite the overwhelming opposition of Barbican users and local residents.

If local people feel their views have been totally ignored it is not surprising that some of them have now decided to fight back through the courts.

Nor should Coun Galloway be crowing about the judge's verdict. The council spent large amounts of our money on hiring expensive lawyers to fight the case, while protestors were denied any legal help at all.

I suspect very few York people will see this as a fair result, or any kind of vindication of the council's behaviour.

More to the point, it looks as if the Barbican saga if far from over.

Your report suggests a legal appeal may still take place, and we know from previous press coverage that many residents are challenging the council's plans for late-night drinking at the Barbican.

Instead of continuing his trench warfare policy Coun Galloway should, at long last, begin a genuine dialogue with local residents and Barbican users about the future of the site.

If he fails to do so the people of York will know who is really to blame for the mounting costs and further delays associated with the Barbican redevelopment fiasco.

Danny Golding,

Albemarle Road, York.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, June 17, 2005