MY fellow Holgate resident Bob Waite suggested (letters, May 29) that the decision to experimentally close Lendal Bridge to private cars was made by the then Labour group leader, James Alexander.

In fact, this decision was a key recommendation of York’s current Local Transport Plan. It was prepared by Council Transport Planners, and signed off in 2014 by Steve Galloway (Lib Dem), who was then executive member for city strategy.

The LTP recommended closure of Ouse Bridge to private cars, plus removal of through traffic from Gillygate, St Leonard’s Place and Lendal Bridge.

Labour inherited the LTP when they took control, and a decision was made on their watch, to experimentally close Lendal rather than Ouse Bridge.

Yes, James Alexander took some terrible decisions, including the £12,000 cost of undoing a Government-funded scheme to upgrade cycling facilities at Water End (Clifton Green).

Have peak traffic queues reduced in the area since then? Not a bit. The reinstated filter lane is often empty, because access to it is blocked by queues of right turners.

Cllr Denise Craghill is quite correct to challenge the “traffic must flow” mentality. It will only flow if more residents can be encouraged to modify their travel habits for some journeys.

An accompanying reallocation of road space concentrates minds, and reduces demand for car use in the long term.

Paul Hepworth, Holgate, York