Driving between Haxby and New Earswick on Friday and Saturday evenings one can often see 20 or 30 youngsters hanging around in the underpass under the roundabout on the B1237.

These youths (boys and girls) are from Haxby, Wigginton and New Earswick. I've seen them there frequently in sub zero temperatures until the police come and move them on. Is this the best we can do for the local youth?

It prompted me to ask if there was a youth club in the area. I was given an Activity Guide leaflet. It lists for teenagers: ballet, dance, Flying Ducks, Friday Can-Teen, guides, In 2 Musik, In 2 Acting, internet caf, Scouts, Venture Scouts and young women's project. Quite a selection you may think, but it is obviously not what these girls and boys want.

The very fact that they are under the road in a subway on Friday and Saturday nights in freezing temperatures proves we are letting them down.

Apparently there are between 3,000 and 4,000 young people in Haxby and Wigginton. I wonder how many parents are aware their children are meeting there; not many I bet. Surely as a community we can do better than this.

I bet it wouldn't take much; a sizeable indoor area where they could sit around if they want to and "chill", or kick a ball around. Perhaps provide a wall and some paint where they could paint graffiti - why not? It can be artistic if you like that sort of thing and it can be painted over. Come on folks let's have some suggestions for the local authorities.

R A Clements,

Minster Close,

Wigginton, York.

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, March 14, 2006