AS a York resident, I rarely ever have the urge to defend York council. For the first time, I feel I have to, over the nature of your reporting of Monday's snow and supposed lack of gritting.

Gritting does not stop snow falling. It does not allow you to travel at the same speeds as when there is no snow. It merely lessens the chance of ice forming on the road and hastens the departure of what ice is there.

Snow ploughs in and around York would not have made much difference, as the snow was only three inches deep and showed no sign of freezing, at least in my part of the city.

I was in and around York on Friday and at the weekend, and there was noticeable grit on the roads.

The traffic was slow on Monday, because most people, sensibly, drove much slower than their normal speed. Gritting would not have altered this.

I think you have been unfair to York council in the style and tone of reporting you adopted and implying it was to blame for the problems.

As for the accidents, ask the police why most happened? Inappropriate driving, too fast, too close, braking too hard, turning too sharply and impatience.

Well done York council, the bin men arrived bang on time with the usual roaring, wheezing and clanking despite the snow - no respite there then.

Tim Evans,

Maple Grove,

York.

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, February 23, 2005