DOES anyone remember the promise of artworks and sculptures to be put on permanent display along the length of New Walk and Terry Avenue as part of the Millennium Bridge project?

The trouble is, as we now approach 2002, the artworks have never materialised. Back in May 2001, I remember that the York Millennium Bridge Trust displayed sketches of the works and the proposed sites for these along the riverbank. The artists to be commissioned were on hand to discuss the proposals with citizens who ventured along to see them.

I remember writing to the Millennium Bridge Trust at that time full of praise for the idea and looking forward to seeing the end result.

Since then - nothing.

Dare we ask what happened? Was the project cancelled? Why were we never told? What happened to the money? Were the artists paid?

Despite promises that the bridge project was going to improve the whole length of the riverbank, the opposite has happened. New Walk looks worse than it has done for years. Surely it is time to ask what is being done about this major capital project? What was meant to be a celebration and a new monument for York is a shameful denigration of our city.

Was everything with "Millenn-ium" in its title a disaster?

Dave Taylor,

New Walk Terrace,

York.

Updated: 08:34 Saturday, December 22, 2001