NOW that Charlie Croft has revealed the amount to be realised from the Barbican development will be lower than anticipated for the refurbishing of Edmund Wilson and Yearsley Pools (November 3), perhaps he will reassure us by confirming that no one, architects included, is going to waste the small amount now forthcoming on altering the facilities at Yearsley.

All that is necessary is new cladding on the roof plus replacement of life-expired pumps etc, in other words major maintenance which should have been carried out years ago.

No changes need to be made to the bathside lockers and cabins, they have served many generations well and will continue to do so for many years to come, so called 'changing villages' in other pools will shortly become obsolete when commonsense is re-established.

I do not live in hope of Charlie meeting my request. All his predictions suggest he is in the hands of the architects/developers.

When the three alternatives for Yearsley (does anyone know the details please?) are examined what's the betting that some outlandish scheme will emerge similar to the 25-metre pool at Kent Street. It will be so shallow as to allow bathers (not swimmers) to stand around chatting for half its length. If I have heard wrongly about this pool which Charlie claims will be our pride and joy, perhaps he will inform us of the exact dimensions and clear the air.

Joe Jones,

Rawcliffe Lane,

York.

Updated: 11:01 Monday, November 15, 2004