FURTHER to my recent letter (Why do tractors have to slow down all traffic? Soapbox, October 13) I read with surprise the vitriolic responses of Ken Holmes and Beryl and Keith Laverack (Rural Response.) As Mr and Mrs Laverack admitted in their letter, "farmers do indeed work long and unsocial hours" and therefore consideration for other motorists between eight and nine in the morning and five and six in the evening should not be too much to ask for.

Already, in seriously congested areas such as Clifton Moor Business Park, many companies stagger working hours or promote flexi-time in a bid to ease the traffic problems.

However, if the responses to my comments are to be believed, farmers feel they are above such concessions, as supported by Mr and Mrs Laverack's assertion that: "If he is that concerned because he might be held up, then why doesn't he either live near his work or set off earlier still to ensure his prompt arrival?"

This attitude typifies what I have come to expect from the farming community, namely an insular selfishness and unwillingness to change in a world which constantly evolves.

Another example of this steadfastness can be seen in rural communities' constant bleating at being prevented from tearing foxes limb-from-limb while getting tipsy on sherry.

Coming from a long line of townsfolk, I imagine one of my ancestors may have enjoyed watching the odd dogfight or bear-baiting contest.

It is interesting to note that such activities were outlawed many years ago and townsfolk simply took up other leisure pursuits such as joining the local pub domino handicap or playing football.

David Turns, Woodland Chase, Clifton, York.