Steve Carroll's recent article on the Walmgate Bar gateway was interesting but I wish to offer my solution to the problem.

I agree that a plastic barrier, such as the present one, is hideous and insulting but it is obvious a barrier of some description is needed to prevent further damage to the stonework.

A clearly-visible barrier would advise those drivers who cannot read the height restriction signs or do not know how high their own vehicle actually is.

I suggest constructing a fire-resistant, hardwood frame to the size of the central gateway (thereby not damaging the stone) with a portcullis-style quarter-gate at the top, giving access to low motor vehicles and cyclists. This would be in keeping with the theme of a Norman/Medieval gateway. It would give a visible height for the whole of the gateway (which seems to have proved difficult to judge because the second gateway is lower) and would be cheaper and easier to replace than the stone.

A last resort could be to place on spikes above the central arch all the heads of those who lodge their vehicles therein. That may work ...

Irene J Mace,

Driftwood Cottage,

Hopgrove Lane South,

Hopgrove, York.

Updated: 11:44 Thursday, January 06, 2005