I WAS dismayed to read your 'Counter attack' article (August 2). The article portrayed the City of York Council as a faceless, despotic organisation which is turning down the planning application for a cashpoint machine at Haxby Road Post Office for no apparent reason.

I must protest about this - the council is representing the deeply held views of local residents who are already exasperated by the dangerous traffic situation which currently arises from the presence of a cashpoint machine at the Lloyds/TSB bank not 20 yards away from where the Post Office machine is proposed.

A second cashpoint machine at the end of Whitecross Road would exacerbate an already intolerable situation - currently access to the road is difficult because users of the cashpoint park their cars illegally at the end of the road.

Parents living in Whitecross Road dare not allow their children into the street due to the number of people who, having used the cashpoint, speed down to the end of the road before turning around.

It is therefore imperative for local residents that this second cashpoint is refused.

I urge the council to continue its firm line on this and the Evening Press to present a well balanced assessment of the situation before seizing the opportunity to find another vehicle to push your normally very worthy Counter Attack campaign.

Marion Hall,

Whitecross Road,

York.