LIKE many residents of York I was disappointed at the decision taken a few weeks ago not to accept the big wheel.

I wonder if consideration could be given to a smaller and less obtrusive attraction like the Bournemouth Balloon, which I saw in action last year in Bournemouth and which seems to be very popular.

This balloon rises to 500 feet and is tethered by steel rope to the ground, and has a “viewing basket” which can accommodate up to 25 people.

The advantage of the balloon over the big wheel is that it would normally rest on the ground, and the only time it would affect the York skyline would be when it was actually in operation.

It would enable tourists to have a panoramic view of York and its surroundings up to a distance of 20 miles.

I also suspect that the area it would occupy on the ground would be much smaller than for the big wheel, and therefore more easily accommodated – possibly on the site behind the library which had been contemplated for the wheel.

E A Emsley, Harlow Close, York.