I AM astonished at the one-sidedness of your reports about the proposal to close alleyways and other rights-of-way in York.

We hear frequently in the media about the "epidemic of obesity" that is affecting the younger generation.

A major reason for this obesity is lack of exercise, and a simple form of exercise is to use walking as a way of getting from place to place.

Walkers love short-cuts, which make walking both more efficient and more pleasant, particularly when they allow main roads to be avoided. To shut off short-cuts is to penalise pedestrians, some of whom may be put off from walking and use the car instead.

This argument seems to me at least as credible as the allegation that closing alleyways will reduce anti-social behaviour - I'm not convinced that it will have that effect.

Samuel H Valentine

Carr Lane,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:07 Monday, February 16, 2004