Speaking up for visitors hit by unfair fines

TREVOR Anson is a little unfair (The Yorkshire Post, March 6) in claiming that “no one will admit” that York’s Lendal Bridge system of fines is unfair to strangers.

According to Kate McMullen, the head of Visit York: “Visit York remains deeply concerned about the impact of fines being issued to visitors who have inadvertently used Lendal Bridge.”

Lionel Chatard, speaking on behalf of York Hoteliers’ Association, has insisted that “we consider that the Lendal Bridge restricted access trials should be aborted as the reputation of our city as a ‘visitor friendly’ destination is in jeopardy”.

Frank Wood, chairman of York Retail Forum, remarked: “Many visitors feel they have been cheated by being fined for crossing the bridge when they didn’t even realise this wasn’t allowed.”

These official views are echoed by many, and probably most, of York residents. York City Council’s diktats should not be taken as expressing the views of the people of York.