WITH references to the proposed “Haxby” station in an article from Kevin Hollinrake MP and a letter from M I Joyce, former resident of York, (The Press, Thursday, August 22) I feel moved to write again to The Press.

While I completely support the idea of better transport connectivity, this station is not the answer.

It would be better named “Field halfway between Towthorpe and Haxby station”. It does not link with any other public transport and is not served by footpaths or a safe cycle path.

Both Haxby and Strensall have frequent, well used, electric bus services linking them with the hospital, the centre of York and York railway station.

It would have been better, with hindsight, if Strensall and Haxby stations hadn’t closed in the 1930s and if Dr Beeching hadn’t made such drastic cuts to our rail network, but they did, the land was sold and there’s no going back.

This is a great opportunity to look again at what is really needed to improve connectivity and green travel in York and North Yorkshire, not to push ahead regardless with an outdated white elephant project.

Penny Parish,

Heath Ride,

Strensall,

York

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Why Scarborough is 'Queen of the Yorkshire coastline'

THE criticism of Scarborough is completely unjust and unfair.

Scarborough like most seaside towns in England has suffered greatly since the start of the cheap foreign holiday boom of the 1970s and with their guaranteed sunshine the coastal town lost out to the package holidays.

Yorkshire has some of the finest beaches in England, beautiful sandy beaches, far superior to the pebbly so-called beaches you find elsewhere around the country.

The problem with the water quality is unfortunately a problem throughout the country and should be fixed as fast as possible.

In its heyday the crowds on the beaches were so vast that children getting lost was a common occurrence.

For businesses to succeed they need regular customers and unfortunately day trippers don't generate enough business to see them through the winter months.

Scarborough is no worse than most of the seaside resorts, in fact it's better with assets of beautiful beaches, a historic harbour, a friendly welcoming population.

It's the Queen of the Yorkshire coastline.

D M Deamer

Penleys Grove Street

Monkgate

York

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Should taxes go up to fund winter fuel payments?

I WOULD like to ask the people complaining about the ending of the winter fuel payment to all pensioners, where do they propose the money comes from?

The only place the Government gets money is through taxation.

Are they requesting a rise in income tax or another tax? Why are fuel costs so high? How much are the chief officers getting and how much are their bonuses?

Harry Punter,

Corncroft,

Strensall,

York

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What Etty would do

I RATHER think if William Etty were alive today he would be one of Private Eye’s most active and valued correspondents, scouring the country on behalf of their Nooks and Corners column, tracking down historic buildings which, once lost, can never be recovered, and campaigning with vigour and passion for them to be preserved and restored.

He would not be quibbling over the purely cosmetic matter of local paintwork, which can easily be changed if desired, with no damage whatsoever to the building.

Julie Speedie,

Newborough Street,

York

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