SPEED bumps are the worst response to a real issue of sensible speed limits in all residential areas.

Many drivers slow down for each bump then accelerate to the next.

Cold engines - typical of the school/work run - are at their very worst when accelerating.

Catalysts are not working when cold and local air pollution is increased by each speed bump.

If you have asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, don't live near a speed bump. In sunny, still weather we actually get photochemical smog in York - and each speed bump is adding its own contribution.

I suggest it is time to impose a 20mph limit in all residential areas, unless a route is designated for higher speeds. Instead of attempting to calm a few 'target' streets, we might all benefit. Main roads could stay at 30 or 40mph, as now.

I suspect that the present approach, despite being incredibly expensive, is making only a marginal difference.

Once drivers know where bumps etc are they switch routes or get up to "normal" speeds between obstacles.

The square bumps can be straddled and totally ignored by trucks, vans and large cars.

We need sensible speed limits for the conditions, and to educate drivers to expect to obey them.

I have lived and worked in York for more than 25 years but have only once seen police using a radar speed gun.

For the cost of calming a couple of streets with speed bumps we could buy the police a radar gun and a van from which they could operate.

Once the message sank in that speed limits in York mean something, we could get rid of the expensive, polluting nuisance that is the speed hump.

John M Reed,

Willow Grove,

York.

...AS stated in previous letters printed in this column during the last two years or more, it has been proven that slowing traffic down has dramatically increased the size and presence of particle matter in the air.

As predicted, this has increased the cases of asthma and breathing problems in Britain with, so far, more than five million under-16s being affected.

The problem with speed humps is that they do not move fast enough, and should be adjusted so that they stay about a yard in front of the cars.

This will get the drivers of York moving again.

Eddie Vee,

Official Monster Raving Loony Party,

Wenham Road,

York.

...THE picture of a speed hump in St Benedict Road (Letters, April 2) says it all. It's become a rat-run as drivers use the road to avoid going on to Bishopthorpe Road.

It's getting worse. How someone has not been killed until now is a mystery. It's an accident waiting to happen.

Some weeks ago the council undertook a census, counting traffic on Bishopthorpe and Nunthorpe Roads near Jacksons store.

At the same time one of them should have counted the number going down St Benedict Road and not using the proper route.

It was good of the Evening Press to spotlight this area.

Keith Chapman,

Custance Walk,

St Benedict Road,

Nunnery Lane,

York.

Updated: 11:10 Wednesday, April 07, 2004