MANY words have been written about the Lendal Bridge closure, and no doubt there will be many more. What puzzles me is the often quoted reason (excuse) for this and other costly traffic management schemes, i.e. the forecast of more congestion and even gridlock.

I think before we spend hundreds of thousands of pounds we need to consider that such forecasts are only “guestimates”. Without a crystal ball, forecasting the future is at best an imprecise science.

I have yet to see any actual figures regarding the increase in traffic, though I have noted comments in The Press that traffic has not significantly increased in recent years.

Would any of our councillors like to provide us with the details? It would also be interesting to see if our new expensive cycle lanes have resulted in an increase of cyclists.

Pamela Brown, Goodwood Grove, York.