The Liberal Democrat council has made what appears to be its first major decision, on the new Barbican site the blueprint for which was unveiled on June 20.

It now emerges that the Liberal Democrats believe York does not deserve a county-standard swimming pool as agreed by the previous administration with Conservative support.

York does deserve a first class pool built to county-standard. It could have a number of advantages for the city.

Not only are they selling the city short on swimming, they are also looking to raise the housing density on the site. Their claim, made in the run up to the May 1 elections, that they would encourage pride in our city is already beginning to have a very hollow ring. Their proposals will result in mediocre swimming facilities when we could have a facility of which to be proud.

A further expensive public consultation is to take place on the Barbican, so let us hope their plans will be overwhelmingly defeated and York can have a top swimming facility. I urge all residents to vote in favour of a county-standard pool. Only the best is good enough for York and its residents.

John C Galvin

Bridge Road,

Bishopthorpe, York.

...DURING my conversation with your reporter Richard Edwards I said that while the Barbican Action Group were first and foremost pleased that our long campaign had resulted in swimming being saved on the Barbican site, we felt it would be a shame if the chance to create a pool fit for the 21st century were lost.

At no time did I say I welcomed these specific proposals because I had neither seen them nor heard what they entailed. We simply speculated. I emphasised that we were still behind the Yearsley campaign to retain swimming in a 50-metre pool.

There is no mention of the separate teaching pool in your front page article.

We hope this will stay.

Every time I get the chance, whether making a written comment to Barbican Venture, when speaking to Charlie Croft, or previously to Allan Jones, and also in conversation with your reporter, I have asked that a place be found in the new plans for the popular, economically-priced and community-centred health and beauty therapy body suite, whose dedicated staff have lived with uncertainty for so long, and who have given stalwart service.

This is the only non-private service of the kind in the city. I have never had a meaningful response. So I ask now: can this element of the existing centre be factored into the revised plans, especially if we are to sacrifice a county- standard pool, which would have eventually brought as much kudos to York as the snooker championships?

Dorothy Nicholson,

Vice-Chair,

Barbican Action Group,

Grange Garth,

Fulford Road, York.

...York's new Liberal Democrat council is beginning to show its true colours.

Labour's pre-election claims that the Lib Dems would cram residential developments on city centre sites were dismissed by them.

But new proposals for the Barbican site include an extra 20 residential units. So much for Lib Dem denials.

They have also have denied Green Party councillors the chance to have a say in the grand plan for York's future - not very liberal, nor very democratic!

More importantly, I'm still waiting for the £100 I was faithfully promised by the Lib Dems in their pre-election leaflets should they win control of the council. Come on Coun Galloway, pay up or own up! Was it yet another Lib Dem election scam?

All this Lib Dem backtracking, ducking and weaving isn't really surprising, and their fantasies usually get found out by the voters - although not usually this early.

David Thompson,

High Oaks,

Stockton Lane, York.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, June 24, 2003