CITY of York Council intends to issue on-the-spot fines in respect of litter (March 11).

How welcome it would be if the same department was as keen to put its own house in order.

For the last few years ragwort infestations on council-owned property, including roadside verges and playing fields, have spread their deadly seeds on to nearby private land.

Ragwort may look pretty but it kills horses and can harm the kidneys of dogs and children who touch it.

That is why it is a criminal offence for a landowner to fail to take steps to eradicate it, and there are hefty fines which are imposed by, you've guessed it, the environmental health department.

Many landowners have to spend time, effort and money to clear the ragwort from our land that has been caused by the council's infestation.

Several other property owners and I have raised this issue with the environmental health office and with a leading councillor on the controlling group.

So why is it that members of the public can be prosecuted, but the council is immune from being prosecuted by itself?

Peter Brown,

Acomb Grange,

Grange Lane, York.

Updated: 10:55 Wednesday, March 17, 2004