I would like to question the point raised by Colin Clarke in your letters page (January 12).

While having no objection in principle to the idea of a 40mph speed limit through the village, I fail to see the logic of having four central refuges for people crossing the road.

Perhaps I am missing the point here, but as Gate Helmsley is rather unique in being built on only one side of the road, why should these be necessary at all, apart from dog owners wishing to "exercise" their pets on the grass verge on the other side?

The village historically, was built in what used to be the North Riding on the northern side of the A1066, which formed the boundary between that county and the East Riding on the southern side.

As it is a linear development along what has for centuries been a major highway, and the original plan was to keep it within the purlieus of one county, this has been beneficial to the villagers as the traffic has increased over the years, as they have not had to cross the road at all. So why all the fuss now?

M N McCulloch,

Coda Avenue,

Bishopthorpe,

York.

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