RECENT traumatic redundancies are not peculiar to York.

Many industries such as mining, steel, textiles and automotive have declined elsewhere but in conurbations better able geographically to adapt.

To say, however, that York has no crisis is blind and ignorant of human desires. Action is required now.

In the short-term, Terry's, Norwich Union, British Sugar and Nestl would, if approached, contribute substantially to a dedicated effort to find employment for their displaced workers and an increased effort for job creation.

Hopefully, York people will consider any job valuable.

Having spent 52 years in manufacturing, I know that in industry, at least two further jobs are supported with every manufacturing job and the added value created by net exporting out of the area is substantially greater.

In the medium-term, planning for Greater York should be reviewed to retain land for industry and form an action group to project York, made up of sensible interested groups, such as the economic development department, Yorkshire Forward, council leader, local MP. It would be excellent if a national name, perhaps the Duke of York, could be used to give a high profile.

Long-term planning should include lobbying to upgrade the A64 from the A1(M) to the Hopgrove roundabout to motorway standard, and ring road from Hopgrove to Pike Hills dualled, improving access to York and beyond, and to employment prospects in West Yorkshire.

The green belt line relaxed a further 100 metres outside the ring road for industry only.

The survival of York is probably assured, but if in 50 years all we are doing is preserving history and presiding over Museum York it will not be a job well done. I would ask our MP Hugh Bayley to start the ball rolling.

Philip Crowder, York Road, Haxby, York.