WHAT a week! Well done York! The Royal Ascot race meeting was a triumph of planning and teamwork, bringing huge credit to York and its people.

To attract, and look after, so many people during five days was a fantastic achievement.

York Racecourse, the city council, Highways Agency, emergency services, York Tourism, Yorkshire Forward, hoteliers, transport providers and the residents of York all deserve to be congratulated.

In partnership with other rail companies, GNER was pleased to run extra services and make special arrangements to look after passengers at York Station. The transport shuttle arrangements at the front of the station ran very smoothly, quickly whisking race-goers off to Knavesmire, thanks to the efforts of First buses, taxi firms and coach companies.

Overall, the warmth and friendliness of York shone through - even on the wet and windy days.

Congratulations also to the Evening Press for capturing the colour and spectacle of such an historic and memorable event.

Just think what the national headlines would have been if, collectively, we had not delivered.

Christopher Garnett

Chief Executive, GNER,

Station Road, York.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, June 22, 2005