I HAVE voted Liberal all my life but not any more. The arrogance of our present Liberal Democrat councillors is breathtaking.

At a recent meeting to discuss the proposed Park & Ride to service the A59, requested traffic data was not available, "as it would not be helpful to the discussions". Not helpful to whom? Would the information have highlighted the impractibility of the site preferred by the council?

I should like answers to the following questions:

Why should the buses from the new Park & Ride at Monks Cross and the proposed one at Poppleton only serve the city centre? It would make more sense if at peak times there was also a service to Clifton Moor to serve the commuters working there.

uHas the increase in parking charges and the rash of new parking meters throughout the city, not to mention the 100 per cent increase in residents' parking permits, actually benefited residents and visitors?

uWhat do City Screen, the theatres and retailers feel? Shopping or banking in town is difficult enough without these draconian measures.

Why has a slip road from the A64 directly to the racecourse not been built before? It's not too late to achieve before next year's Ascot meeting, which is threatening to bring a 100 per cent increase in traffic on roads that are barely able to serve normal race days without chaos.

Mrs J Liney,

Kyme Street,

Bishophill, York.

...AT the recent meeting of the ward committee more than a hundred people from in, and around, Poppleton examined the preliminary proposals for the five sites being considered for the A59 Park and Ride.

The head of traffic planning at the council stated clearly his view that sites one, two and three were equally capable of attracting car drivers on to Park & Ride, whereas sites four and five would not be anything like so effective.

After a vigorous discussion a vote was taken which found overwhelming support for option three and total, or near total, rejection of the other options.

The people of Poppleton, the community that will be most affected by this scheme, have clearly expressed their view, in a well attended public meeting.

I urge everyone to return their consultation document to the council rejecting all options except site three. We trust and believe the elected councillors will listen to the people and choose option three.

David Johnson,

Main Street,

Upper Poppleton, York.

Updated: 10:29 Friday, May 14, 2004