Driving to work up the A19 this week, I noticed that the 40mph speed limit through Thormanby has been reduced to 30.

This will probably add around a minute on to each trip - or around six hours in the car each year.

It will also create extra pollution, by forcing many drivers to change down a gear and increase their engine revs.

However, given the blind summit in the middle of the village, the lower limit is probably a good idea.

How about giving us that time back by increasing the limit to 70mph on the Easingwold bypass?

There are no sharp bends or blind summits, and no potentially dangerous crossroads or junctions on that section of the A19 to justify a lower limit. There is a lay-by on each carriageway, but 70mph roads have those as well without anyone complaining that they represent a safety threat.

In fact, raising the limit would probably enhance safety, as it would reduce the number of reckless overtaking attempts which law-abiding motorists are subjected to on that stretch.

Leo Enticknap,

Bootham, York.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, October 28, 2005