THIS week sees the sad, and unnecessary, end to all sports activities at the Barbican.

It has also become clear that Liberal Democrat councillors have broken their promise to provide suitable alternatives for the many people who still use the sports facilities at the Barbican.

For example, none of the well attended keep-fit classes have been relocated as promised to alternative venues in the centre of York, apart for those for the over-50s.

Instead, Barbican users are expected to join existing classes at Oaklands in Acomb, or Courtney's at Monks Cross. These are hardly convenient venues for people who live in the centre of York, particularly if they do not have their own transport.

If the Liberal Democrats cannot even stick to their pledge to provide replacement sporting facilities, how can we trust some of their other promises about the future of the Barbican?

I suspect it may not be long before we find that a casino has been added to the redevelopment plans despite all their assurances that this would not happen.

Danny Golding,

Albemarle Road,

York.

Updated: 08:38 Saturday, October 30, 2004