TODAY is the 25th anniversary of the official opening of the complete outer ring road by the then Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Paul Channon MP. In the Yorkshire Evening Press special supplement the following day, glowing headlines included “Missing link is a dream come true”, “The route to success”, “Industrial Estates: New lease of life”.

As someone involved in the County Council team which planned, designed and constructed the road, and resident in Haxby for nearly 40 years, I have lived for these past 25 years with the endless criticisms and complaints in The Press.

My response to those people over the years who know of my involvement in the project and challenge me about its shortcomings is: “Try and imagine what traffic conditions within and around the city centre would be like without it.”

Roger King, Briergate, Haxby, York.