Traffic congestion in York

Do we really have a traffic problem in York? I can’t be the only one who has noticed that as soon as the schools have a break, they give all of the motoring public a break too. Tadcaster Road becomes as clear of traffic as sun upon early morning mist.

So really the money should be best spent on improving the public transport system.

A first practical step would be to have free school buses to extract all the school-run mums out of their cars.

Another solution to relieve Tadcaster Road of all its “one occupant” cars would be to make buses cheaper and more efficient to use. Having electronic timetables at every bus stop is a positive way ahead.

I’ve waited at stops for what seems like eternity in the freezing cold waiting in vain, but with this measure it would be comforting to know that your bus is finally on its way. To ensure buses run to timetables it’s about time bus lanes were introduced across the city. Tadcaster Road would benefit immensely by having one along its entire length, rather than the wimpish one it has at present.

And finally, on a visionary note: while there are repairs being carried out to the roads due to frost damage, an induction loop system should be laid also. At a future date these loops could deliver electric power to buses (and cars) and thus finally give York a pollution-free solution.

In short, City of York Council should boldly go where no city has gone before.

Phil Shepherdson, Chantry Close, Woodthorpe, York.

• I recently received one of these questionnaires through the door asking about my views on congestion in York and was amazed to see the proposed costs of “improvements”, varying from £97 million to £244 million.

As someone who cannot understand why the idea of a blanket 20mph speed limit no longer seems to be an option, I thought I’d do some costings of that:

• Say about 50 roads affected – 100 signs

• Two “persons” (one to paint, one to stand at bottom of steps), say £10 per hour (tops – my out-of-work, fresh out of college son will do it for a lot less), say 15 minutes a sign, allowing for walking from one to the next, 25 hours – £500

• To paint out number three, about four litres of white paint – £20

• To paint in number two, about two litres of black paint – £10

• Two brushes – £20

• Hire of steps – £0 (they can borrow mine)

• Total: £550

Zero disruption while the changes are being made and, hey presto, safer/calmer streets, more people willing to get on their bikes or walk, less congestion, buses starting to arrive on time, more people using them, less congestion still – job done.

Glyn Sunman, Halladale Close, York.

• I am still awaiting my copy of the traffic congestion questionnaire, but reading the letter in Friday’s Press, where Mr J Beisly mentions that the difference between two of the scenarios is £133 million, my comment is that this amount of money would be better spent on dualling the A1237 over its entire length.

This action would take traffic out of the town and everyone coming to York would shop at Clifton Moor or Monks Cross. In turn, this would see the closure of shops in York thus making it pointless for shoppers to come into the city.

It naturally follows that there would be a major reduction in cars and lorries in the city. The buses and cyclists could have the place to themselves.

The council would have to find another way to fill the hole left in its coffers from loss of parking charges and the cyclists would want cycle tracks down the middle of both lanes of the dualled A1237. We would then all see whether the council was worried about congestion or just more revenue from motorists.

And to think that this could come about from the loose change between options.

The mind boggles.

Steve Helsdon, Howe Hill Close, Holgate, York.

• I have just received the City of York Council traffic congestion “consultation” questionnaire, and was angered to see that there is little consultation involved.

I know this “consultation” is due to land on every household doorstep in York over the next week; I would urge everyone to reject all four of the identified scenarios on the basis that they will all see an increase in traffic in the city, a city that is packed to the rafters with traffic already.

My question to the council is – shouldn’t we be aiming to reduce traffic congestion in the future or at the very least have no further increase?

I regularly cycle to work and have to endure the air pollution and high levels of traffic. I, for one, do not want more traffic on the roads and I am sure that other road users do not want their journey times increased even further.

I urge the council to identify a scenario E that has a minimum zero increase in York’s traffic by 2021. I am sure they would have a lot of support from cyclists, pedestrians, bus and train users and car owners.

When residents receive their questionnaire I advise them to write in big letters “none of the above!” or “scenario E please” and send it back to the council. It will hopefully then get the message.

Graham Relton, Boroughbridge Road, York.