THE reduction of economic activity at Nestl Rowntree is regrettable, but there is one very good thing which could come out of the break-up of the factory site.

A desperately needed link road could be incorporated to connect Wigginton Road with Haxby Road and so avoid the chaos that ensues every rush hour at the Clarence Street junction.

At present all local cross-town traffic in this part of York must either add to the congestion on the by-pass or go through the bottleneck at Clarence Street, causing a snarl-up outside the hospital and adding to polluting vehicle fumes.

It would be very much to the credit of the council and Nestl if they could seize this golden opportunity to ensure that a much-needed relief road is incorporated in any redevelopment of the factory site.

Matthew Laverack, Lord Mayor's Walk, York.