Coun James Alexander is proposing to dispose of not one, but two car parks. Union Terrace is being sold to a university poorly graded in the university league tables, when tuition fees have tripled, and Government policy is to restrict the number of visas granted to overseas students.

He also wants to sell off a car park at the Barbican, just when it has reopened for business. We have heard there will be no long-term economic advantage to the council – what about the disadvantage to the council taxpayers/voters of York? We live on Stockton Lane, and use the local bus service where possible. It is an inflexible option, and often we use our car to get to Union Terrace, from where we visit our doctor in Gillygate, shop, use the restaurants, and visit the hospital.

At night this well-lit car park enhances our feeling of safety when we visit the Theatre Royal for entertainment, and the Minster for concerts and services.

Coun Alexander risks not just the economic decline of Gillygate, but, for example, the Theatre Royal and local musical societies. We think Coun Alexander’s fellow councillors need to control him more before he harms York further – is it a council, or an autocracy?

David and Susan Robson, Greensward, York.