YOUR article reported "Fears For Fish In River Foss" (September 2). I must say that these fears are very real.

York council and the custodians of the River Foss Navigation should be ashamed at the way in which they dismiss the opening of a sluice to allow a large percentage of water to drain away.

To try and appease public concern by stating that "we are monitoring the fish population", is, quite frankly a negation of responsibilities.

May I remind the Environment Agency that fish are a very small part in the river's ecosystem, and that this type of incident happens every year. It has happened in late spring/early summer when wildlife on the river is at its most sensitive.

It's not good enough to say that a contractor has opened a valve or a mindless moron has removed a padlock and opened yet another valve. Ultimately, the agencies tasked with making sure the Foss is a thriving ecosystem should do their jobs properly, or they should be removed and get someone who will do the job right.

James Whitehead,

Whenby Grove,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 10:07 Tuesday, September 06, 2005