WIth reference to your article 'Traders furious at order to move sign' (Evening Press, June 9), it would appear that City of York Council is again exercising its totalitarian views on the citizens of York.

OK, it might have been wrong to place the sign there without the permission of the council, but to describe it initially as being dangerous and an obstruction is beyond belief. Where is the danger to people of a small sign tied at the base of a tree on a grass verge between a footpath and the road? The only danger I see there daily while walking is the dog mess on the verge.

An unnamed council spokesman states that the sign 'has been erected next to one of York's busiest routes and was a potential dangerous distraction for motorists. We also felt the sign was damaging to the tree.'

Excuses. So far the council have involved:

Pedestrians and those who cycle on the footpath. Hopefully most wouldn't walk or cycle on a grass verge and into a sign set against a tree when there's a footpath.

Motorists. I could understand if it was of a scantily-clad young and attractive young woman and not just a plain advert of the kind used by most businesses along Tadcaster Road.

The environmental issue. What damage to the tree? I've seen no damage and have never heard it scream in pain or seen it bleed.

What are we to think of this council that makes excuses and uses innuendo to get its own way and to damage the small family businesses that should be the heart and soul of this city?

Mike Smith

Middlethorpe Grove,

Dringhouses, York.

Updated: 10:42 Monday, June 18, 2001