ATHLETES in North Yorkshire have hit back in the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed redevelopment of Huntington Stadium.

And they have asked that a constructive plan be put forward "before irreparable damage is done to active sport in the York area".

As revealed by the Evening Press on Friday, the Friends of Bootham Crescent action group is demanding City of York Council relocates the Huntington Stadium running track as part of York City's proposed move to the Monks Cross site.

FoBC believes it is not feasible to keep the track at Huntington Stadium if City are to bring the ground up to Football League standards, and members have accused the council of trying to pass responsibility for it onto the football club.

However, athletes say the track must stay until a new facility is provided and they want redevelopment plans, which are to be submitted by City, to include provision for their facility either at Huntington or at another suitable location.

"We are most concerned to read of the new controversy between FoBC and City of York Council," said Gordon Priestley, the chairman of Nestl Rowntree Athletics Club, which uses the track.

"NRAC and other sporting bodies, including Sport England, have contributed to and maintained an excellent athletics facility in the Huntington track.

"At the moment everyone seems intent on removing that facility without a realistic plan for its replacement.

"Clearly, before depriving anyone of his or her property, a suitable replacement has to be provided first.

"Worryingly in this case, it has not yet been thrashed out who is going to pay the probably high price of that provision."

As reported by the Press, the council said it wanted the track to stay and if this was unfeasible it would develop a 'joint approach' with the football club to relocate it.

FoBC last week demanded that the council instead take full responsibility for a relocation, but Priestley countered these demands, saying: "NRAC have always been given to understand York City will address the cost and feasibility of a new track in their business plan."

He added: "Before irreparable damage is done to active sport in the York area, it is high time a realistic plan is developed and agreed by all concerned."

Updated: 11:27 Saturday, May 17, 2003