IT is clear from Coun Orrell's comments about the racecourse fireworks that he has not grasped the central issue: the detonations used in the racecourse firework displays are far too loud ('10pm curfew on York fireworks', January 18).

Coun Orrell states that "of 30 fireworks events last year, only six were held at the racecourse".

This is irrelevant because it does not make the problems caused by the racecourse displays any better. The noise level coming from the racecourse is in a class of its own in terms of explosive power.

The organisers of these events are clearly using the fact that no housing directly abuts the racecourse stands as a grand excuse for rolling out the heavy mortar shells.

Never mind all the wild birds and mammals, and never mind the people, dogs and cats in nearby streets.

If the councillors had bothered to ask one of its environmental health officers to take a noise reading during one of the racecourse displays last year, they would know the extreme nature of the noise levels, and they would know that the imposition of a 10pm watershed is a totally inadequate response.

As your leader column rightly says, the council should bring in rules which restrict decibel levels.

When Coun Orrell and his staff meet with racecourse managers, will they do the right thing, and insist that this limitation is introduced?

Or will they continue to dodge the issue?

Ms Susan James,

Curzon Terrace,

South Bank, York.

Updated: 10:56 Thursday, January 20, 2005