WE read the article on Acomb Wood with incredulity (February 10). It gives the impression that before 2003 it was closed to the public.

In fact, except for a very brief period under a private owner, it has always been open to the public.

It has always had a public footpath from one end to the other. That is until a few years ago when one end was blocked, many think illegally. To re-open the blocked entrance (which has no drainage problems) at the junction of Ashbourne Way and Rycroft would make the construction of a vandal proof bridge (is there such a thing?) an unnecessary expense.

The re-opening of the blocked entrance to the woods under a public right of way inquiry was (we understand) outvoted by the council. Although we have not seen a report or any minutes of this meeting we have been given to believe the casting vote was given by Steve Galloway.

We are very unhappy about the whole sorry saga and waste of money in providing quite unnecessary bridges because, apart from in very wet weather, even the most disabled can gain entrance to the woods from the present entrance (end of Eden Close).

We respectfully request that this Lib Dem council, by way of a change, listens to the wishes of its constituents.

Edna and Malcolm Walker,

Quaker Green,

Woodthorpe, York.

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, February 16, 2006