IT seems to me that Ian Snedden is missing some points when he complains of the traffic congestion and destruction of archaeological links (May 18).

Is he suggesting that the present traffic situation on the A19 is caused by the existing residents who live on Fulford Road and the surrounding area? Surely the main problems occur because of the people driving into York from further afield such as Selby?

If developments such as Germany Beck did not go ahead, these houses would be built elsewhere and ultimately lead to a much worse situation than he envisages.

Or maybe Ian does understand this issue, but just hopes they are built somewhere where the traffic will affect someone else?

The city archaeologist deals in fact, not folklore. The facts, as the Evening Press reported recently, are that extensive research has not been able to find any evidence to suggest that the site of the Battle of Fulford will be adversely affected, let alone destroyed by the Germany Beck scheme.

It is just as likely that the battlefield has already been destroyed by the A19 and the housing that already exists in the area. It is also quite normal to investigate sites of archaeological interest before building on them as this ensures removable archaeology is found and what can't be removed is preserved.

Richard Crowther,

Manor Chase,

Long Marston,

York.

Updated: 09:49 Saturday, May 21, 2005