FURTHER to your recent appeals to close the gap at Bilbrough Top, I write to strongly support this.

My husband and I regularly use the A64 and are astonished to see the junction still in use.

Many motorists seem oblivious to the dangers they are creating for other road users by trying to negotiate this dangerous crossing.

The road layout approaching the gap does not help the situation, as the junction is partially obscured when travelling westbound towards Leeds, even though there are numerous signs warning of the junction.

Lately, we have witnessed motorists exiting the services on the westbound side cutting straight across the gap into the opposite junction, turning round and re-joining the eastbound carriageway.

In essence, we would like to express our support to close the gaps and create a safer environment for all road users.

Mr & Mrs Kocinski,

Manor Park Grove,

Rawcliffe, York.

...I LIVE in York and work in Bradford so I use the A64 twice a day. Like many readers, I have witnessed a number of accidents and even more near misses, mostly due to bad driving or impatience.

I disagree that the immediate solution is reducing the speed limit to 50mph or building a roundabout (Letters, September 4). Motorways apart, most of our roads seem to be designed to cause congestion resulting in frustrated drivers taking unnecessary risks in overtaking or pulling out from dangerous junctions.

The best local example is the A1237, which I mostly avoid on my way home as I find it quicker to drive through town.

The quickest, cheapest and easiest way to resolve the problem on the A64 is to simply close the gap.

I may be being a little cynical but are the "powers-that-be" a little afraid of upsetting the large multinational companies that occupy the westbound site?

Simon Hyde,

Headley Close,

Clifton, York.

Updated: 12:09 Wednesday, September 10, 2003