S ATKINSON (Letters, April 25) will be pleased to know that the changes at Acomb Front Street to allow access for the new FTR bus will result in improvements for pedestrians.

Instead of his father stepping on to a zebra crossing hoping motorists will stop, he will be able to use a light-controlled pelican crossing which will be fully disabled compliant.

The pavements in the area will also be widened and cyclists using the cycle route to York Road will also be safer.

Even without the new FTR there is a need to improve safety in the area because vehicles now damage lampposts and guard rails because of limited road space.

Bus companies are allowed to run whichever vehicle they wish on routes registered with the Traffic Commissioners but the city council works with all operators to ensure that the necessary improvements are made using money allocated by the Government through the Local Transport Plan programme.

I believe FTR is exactly the type of transport York cannot do without - it will transport more people in more comfort on one of York's busiest routes, without increasing car use and associated environmental damage.

Coun Ann Reid,

Executive member for

planning and transport,

Grassholme, York.

Updated: 09:38 Tuesday, May 03, 2005