I AM relieved to hear that Liberal Democrat councillors have decided the proposed site near the A59/A1237 roundabout may not, after all, be suitable and further consultation is needed.

One only has to look at the A19/A1237 roundabout coupled with the Rawcliffe Park and Ride to see the chaos at busy times of the day.

In other cities I have visited the Park and Ride sites are well outside the city boundary. If we apply the same concept in York, the site ought to be at least a mile west on the A59 to reduce the pressures on the existing roundabout and the volume of cars doing the "rat run" through Poppleton.

Realising that there is always a major hold-up on the A59, from as early as 7.30am, cars turn off at the Red Lion Motel or at the next turn down Black Dike Lane and converge on Longridge Lane leading to Millfield Lane rejoining the ring-road at Poppleton Park.

My wife has regularly monitored the through traffic and, on average, 240 cars use this route every day between 8am and 9am. This is at a time when children are on the way to the local primary/junior school or to Manor School and I fear there will be accidents because the through traffic has little regard for the safety of others, particularly during the dark winter months.

Don Wilson,

Station Road,

Upper Poppleton, York.

...REGARDING the siting of the proposed Park and Ride site, I agree with the decision of the Lib Dems to consult further with residents.

As the founder of the pro-Northern Gateway campaign Northern Gateway Start, I feel the case for Park and Ride has been proved and Rawcliffe Bar has, like all the such sites, kept traffic out of the city. But siting is crucial, and needs to be looked at carefully. The fact that the Lib Dems are prepared to consult further should be applauded.

If Labour had properly consulted on another controversial scheme such as Coppergate II, taxpayers would have saved a great deal of money. Consultation is costly, but it can save money in the long run. Let's hear the voice of the people.

Gordon Campbell-Thomas,

Constantine Avenue, York.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, December 11, 2003