M J NATT writes that "if Heslington residents wish to have their own exclusive and private road, they should be the ones who pay for it" (Letters, May 25). The crucial word here is "if".

Local residents were sent a survey which offered the choice between a variety of rocks and hard places.

One of those, obviously, had to be the winner and so now the council is able to claim that "54 per cent chose the bollard as their preferred option" (May 24).

I have not spoken to one resident who actively wants the road closed, but many took the pragmatic view that the "do nothing" option was not a genuine offer because the council obviously intends to take action of some sort.

I urge M J Natt and others to take council surveys and statistics with a large pinch of salt.

Jane Duke,

Windmill Lane,

York.

Updated: 11:16 Thursday, May 27, 2004