THERE is always someone willing to complain about progress in this part of the world, and the villagers of Heslington once again are no exception.

Years ago they complained about traffic and parking problems near the banks and shop there, ignoring the fact that they are close to a fine university and numerous students would need to use the local facilities regularly.

Now they are at it again over important, and necessary, improvements to Elvington Airfield. We must move on in this modern world and I fully support Len Cruddas, chief executive of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, when he says foreign businessmen need a local airfield to fly to York and invest in our city (March 7).

If they are worried about noise they should live in the shadow of Heathrow Airport as my wife's family did for more than 40 years.

The important argument of bringing in revenue to help pay for a £2 million backlog of repairs to the airfield is also worth considering.

Bryan R Lawson,

Burton Fields Road,

Stamford Bridge,

York.

Updated: 11:26 Monday, March 14, 2005