IT is a damned, diabolic disgrace that Royal Ascot, in cohorts with York Race Committee can try and pull the wool over the eyes of York residents by informing them that they have priority of the free side of York Racecourse for £4.

It is a stupid ploy to try and keep traffic away from Knavesmire.

People visiting York races will be wandering about looking for somewhere to park and see the races, and grid-lock York. Mayhem looms.

Royal Ascot shouldn't have been coming to York in the first place, Newmarket was a far more sensible option. When June arrives York won't know what has hit it.

Ken Holmes,

Cliffe Common, Selby.

Updated: 10:17 Thursday, March 31, 2005