I DO hope the residents of Manor Drive North, Acomb, know what they will be letting themselves in for if they ask the city council to place traffic obstacles in their streets (August 4).

What may seem a good idea at the moment will very soon become a burden.

Residents should be prepared for no reduction in traffic volume; more noise from vehicles braking then accelerating over the obstacles; increased vehicle emissions; more wear and tear to their car's suspension, exhaust and tyres; negative effects on emergency vehicles - imagine being in the back of an ambulance critically ill having to drive over these things - and the increased likelihood of an accident as frustrated motorists negotiate these obstacles.

There is a misguided view that these obstacles make streets safer. Not true.

If they did, surely the council would place them in every street. More driver training and pedestrian education make roads safer, but we don't see much evidence of this going on do we?

R J McBroom,

Strensall Park, York.

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, August 07, 2001