OVER the last month, the developers have cut down a few trees and done some demolition near Bridge garage at Thirsk. No more than three days work.

Yet the public right of way has been closed unnecessarily for the whole period. It is obvious that when the current six month closure period is finished, the work will not be complete and further closure periods will be granted by North Yorkshire county council.

Closure is unnecessary, since safe access could be provided by placing barriers along the hedge, possibly with brief periods when closure is genuinely necessary. Precisely why closure has been granted apparently without any consideration to the users is unclear. The usual "health and safety" excuse invites the derision it deserves.

Meanwhile, most of the local field footpaths are badly overgrown and it is impossible to walk them without being soaked to the skin when they are wet with dew or rain.

When council employees have enough spare time to moan about "Government cuts" it is a shame that they can`t find the resources to get the grass cut.

Too few Indians and far too many chiefs I suppose.

Chris Wright, Thirsk.