IS this York's most pointless and most ugly sign?

This large, grey box-sign informs all and sundry that the street is NOT open to traffic.

However, even the most determined motorist would struggle to negotiate this narrow and winding route - especially given the metal bollards that block its path.

The sign stands at the foot of historic Shambles, at its junction with Pavement.

And one reader of The Press was so taken aback by its sheer ugliness that she called Diary to see whether it really was York's most pointless (and perhaps least beautiful) sign.

Janet Rowntree, descendant of the chocolatier and philanthropist Joseph, said: "I'm appalled by this sign.

"Shambles is one of the most beautiful and historic streets anywhere in the world, and they put this very large sign up, telling people it's pedestrians only."

However, City of York Council insisted that the sign wasn't pointless at all.

A spokeswoman said: "The pedestrians only' sign is there to remind people that motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles should not be using the street - it is for pedestrians only.

"There are also bollards in place, to prevent cars and larger vehicles from gaining access to the street."

It still isn't pretty though, is it?

Have you a contender for York's most pointless, or most ugly, sign?

Send your pictures to us at diary@ycp.co.uk, or The Diary, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.


IT'S all Spielberg's fault.

It was his hit film ET which has been blamed for popularising the "trick-or-treat" phenomenon in Britain on Hallowe'en.

Many kids have great and harmless fun dressing up and going door to door. But inevitably, some have to end up taking matters too far and intimidating residents, particularly the elderly, into handing over goodies - or else!

The problem is bad enough on October 31, but the Diary hears that at least one ghoulish girl has already been going round a York neighbourhood trick-or-treating, more than a fortnight before the big night, and with quite an intimidating approach to boot.

Her excuse: she's going to be away on Hallowe'en. Diary hopes she's been sent packing without a sweet, and that no one has suffered any retribution as a consequence.