AS a racing fan I welcome the news that Ascot 2005 or 2006 will be held at York (August 11).

However, judging by last year's Ebor meeting it is a nightmare waiting to happen. Despite finding thousands of pounds to waste on stupid projects (that city centre fountain was £20,000 down the drain), the city council has continually ignored the need to provide more adequate roads to get visitors in and out of the racecourse.

Last year's Ebor meeting saw traffic backed up beyond Tadcaster with many visitors saying it had taken up to two hours to get from the A1 to the racecourse. Many missed the first and even second race.

These people bring trade to York shops and hotels, so the council should, for once, consider the locals by providing better roads and relieving some of the turmoil caused.

S Milner,

Marten Close,

Clifton, York.

...THE Royal Ascot race meeting is to come to York in 2005 or 2006.

This would be a great chance to make a direct road access to and from the A64 ring road to the racecourse to avoid Sim Balk Lane and Church Lane in Bishopthorpe. With the likely increased volume of traffic, because of the Ascot meeting, it is even more important to reduce the congestion and pollution in the area of the infant school, church and doctors surgery as well as houses.

When the ring road was originally planned it was suggested a direct access should be provided. But the "experts" did not think it necessary. They should look at the situation now on race days.

A L Dixon,

Coggan Way,

Bishopthorpe,

York.

Sto

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, August 20, 2003