REGARDING the Clarence Street car park sale, it does seem that City of York Council has been rather inept in its desire to get a quick injection of funds.

Has it, for example, looked at the long-term cost (employment, rates, city appearance) in signing the death knell for many of the businesses in Gillygate? Or perhaps York has just decided that the city centre is finished anyway so why bother to preserve it.

Did anybody think about a joint venture? Buildings built above a car park, for example.

York as a tourist destination or a shopping centre can ill afford to lose a car and coach park, even if the injection of cash into council coffers would be welcome. The logical end would be to sell off all the city car parks.

Clive Tiney, Haxby.

• I FEEL I must write on behalf of a coach-load of NHS pensioners.

I organise four days outings a year the coach picks us up and drops us at Clarence Street car park. Some of us are disabled and can safely park our cars in the disabled bays provided at Clarence Street. It is also convenient for all our members to get to.

If this car park is sold off to York St John’s University, James Alexander will deprive our members of their much looked forward to days out.

Jean Robinson, Social secretary, Unison Retired NHS Members, Dringhouses, York.