"GET off your backsides and develop Elvington as York's airport," says Chris White, of Nestl Rowntree (November 18).

With Manchester as the North's main international hub, Liverpool John Lennon catering for the cheapo end of the trade, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle well established and thriving Doncaster/Sheffield Robin Hood International as the latest entry in the growth stakes, I seriously wonder how many more airports the North needs.

And given that most terminals and airstrips in the South East are at saturation already, where would you be able to fly to?

But it is Mr White's next remark that gets up my nose. "At present, tourists... have to arrive by train, and it ain't a great service." I visit York by train, usually on business, about half a dozen times per year.

GNER, who provide London services, are generally reckoned to be the best post-privatisation train operator in the country.

Virgin Cross Country may occasionally suffer overcrowding, but they have just renewed their entire fleet of trains.

Transpennine Express, who carry me from Manchester, have improved performance steadily since they took over the franchise, and have a new fleet of trains scheduled for delivery by next summer.

And Northern, who provide your local services, are improving fast.

Don't knock the railways, Mr White, they serve York exceptionally well.

Peter Johnston,

Kendal Road,

Bolton, Lancs.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, November 24, 2005