Mr CASPERSON described how he took a family of American tourists to what he describes as an "open sewer", namely the Anglican Tower at the rear of the library (March 25).

I think it is only fair that he hears the city centre cleansing section's response.

Firstly, the Anglican Tower is on a daily cleansing schedule as specified by the city centre management, but alas, the area in and around the Anglican Tower is frequented by some of our city's undesirables.

I have personally told my staff to leave the area if the above mentioned are in situ as I will not let my staff be accosted and verbally abused while we attempt to clean up around them. My staff report to me when they cannot clean the area, but they always return later if it is safe to do so.

Secondly, I appreciate that the area may smell of urine but we have investigated the possibility of applying disinfectant but were advised that such chemicals would cause erosion to the ancient structure.

I can assure Mr Casperson that the city is not cleaned on an "ad hoc" basis, as cleansing crews are deployed from 5.30am till 8pm in our quest to make York a clean, tidy and pleasant city for residents, visitors and tourists alike.

P R Willey,

City Centre Cleansing Section,

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth,

York.

Updated: 09:45 Saturday, March 30, 2002