Mr Wardell (Letters, January 3) asks why people would choose to cycle, walk or use the bus when they already have a car. How many reasons does he want?

Reduced stress, increased fitness, environmental benefits, financial savings (motorists often fail to consider the full cost of their mileage) – the list goes on.

The amount of motorised traffic has increased hugely and cyclists can feel very vulnerable. Introducing more cycle tracks and other safety measures will encourage more people on to their bikes and away from the car.

Everyone will benefit as the roads become less clogged with vehicles and York’s poor air quality would once again improve. Mr Wardell underlines one excellent argument against Monks Cross II: we need to keep facilities accessible to everyone. Many people are dependent on reaching shops by foot, bicycle or public transport and if York town centre is damaged by further out-of-town development these will be the people who suffer.

Pam Hanley, Collingwood Avenue, Holgate, York.