I AM writing this after returning from the "new purpose-built (recycling) facility" at Hazel Court, York, where I witnessed an alarming oversight.

As a regular user of the Foss Island Road refuse site (that I'm assuming was not "purpose built") I appreciated the fact that, as a pedestrian, I had access to the whole site and, with a short trip, could recycle everything from empty food tins to cardboard and, most importantly, my household's plastic bottles.

As a society our use of plastics is increasing at an alarming rate and the ability to recycle them is only just becoming commonplace.

So as someone keen to recycle I appreciate the ability to recycle my plastic bottles. Also, as someone who follows City of York Council's advice to walk or cycle whenever possible in York to avoid putting another car on the road, I like walking while taking my recycling.

Imagine my dismay when, at this new "purpose-built" site, I was unable to recycle my plastic bottles because I was a pedestrian and didn't have access to the plastic-bottle-bank.

Empty plastic bottles are extremely light, ideal for a pedestrian or cyclist to take to recycling. So why is there no facility for pedestrians or cyclists to recycle their bottles?

It seems bizarre that the city council spends thousands encouraging people to walk instead of driving then, when designing a refuse facility, makes life more difficult for pedestrians. I would like to see a plastic-bottles-bin or collection point with pedestrian access at Hazel Court because I think not having one is a ridiculous oversight that can only discourage people from recycling.

Christopher Gledhill,

Layerthorpe,

York.

Updated: 10:11 Saturday, April 22, 2006