REGARDING the debate on speed humps in York, I would say that speed humps are a blessing compared to the counter-productive chicanes that are in use in places such as Huntington Road and Heslington.

The chicanes in Heslington cause four-way traffic jams on a major route every day. In a traffic jam these chicanes are rendered useless and actually hinder the clearance of vehicles.

From experience I have seen that these chicanes present a challenge to drivers - "I don't want to stop, I'll race that oncoming driver so he has to stop." I've seen many near misses and confrontations.

It is stupid to assume that a scheme to force drivers to cross each other's path is a safe and sensible one.

If traffic calming needs to be addressed in York, a good starting point would be to ditch the ill-planned chicanes.

Jason Rayner,

Wenlock Terrace, Fulford,

York.

...MINI-roundabouts seem to be popping up everywhere and aren't they a wonderful invention!

They are, of course, designed to improve traffic flow. So we have three or four drivers sitting in their cars about six feet apart each nervously looking at the car on their right, wondering who is to going to set off first.

Oh, and you have to look both ways simultaneously, as well.

Then there are the drivers who refuse to acknowledge the roundabout at all. For them it is still a junction - old habits die hard.

Best of all are the little round beauties which are surrounded by illuminated bollards and narrow kerbing designed to funnel the traffic in the right direction.

I bet the bus and truck drivers really love the challenge of negotiating those without mounting the kerb or destroying the bollards with the vehicle's overhang (they don't always manage it, of course!).

I hope the inventor is happy in his Reliant Robin. I like to think that as the master of the tight turn he helps to design supermarket car parks too.

I won't even mention chicanes....

Martin Hayton,

Hallard Way,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 10:39 Monday, September 02, 2002