I think that all would agree with columnist Tim Murgatroyd that medieval York was not designed for the motor car (Tram-trains are the way forward, April 10).

However, all of his suggested alternatives apart from the further increase of electric buses have practical, aesthetic and/or financial drawbacks.

If there is to be a revolution this should be in the form of a stick and carrot approach. The objectives would be to reduce congestion and air pollution and provide frequent and efficient transport using electric and low emission buses according to network requirements.

The way that this could be achieved would be by the introduction of financial charges for vehicles that entered an agreed inner city zone with appropriate exemptions for the zone residents and for zero or low emission buses and taxis.

Not only would these proposals improve public transport but there could also, given the reduced congestion, be a linked provision of a bus station/hub which would add further to the convenience of bus transport - especially if it was located near to the railway station.

There would need to be a securely ring-fenced undertaking that all monies raised from the inner city zone charging after deduction of costs would be used only for the provision and enhancement of public transport.

There is no doubt that there would be stiff resistance to these proposals but other cities are introducing similar schemes to deal with the issues outlined.

David Randon,

Blue Slates Close,

Wheldrake, York

Policy makers must keep traffic moving

May I wholeheartedly agree with Dr Scott Marmion (Why the block on bus laybys, Letters, April 4) regarding the created congestion around the roads of York.

I see this daily. Here are some more examples of the lunatic policies put in place by City of York Council.

James Street, where a complete refurbishment was undertaken in recent years, regularly has queues tailing back to the traffic lights in Lawrence Street, all because there was no layby constructed for the buses that regularly lay up for 10 minutes or so.

Around the corner in Lawrence Street some bright spark in an office has decided to place a bus stop only feet away from a pedestrian island opposite what was Poor Clares Nunnery. The result is obvious, tailbacks all the way back towards Walmgate Bar and nothing getting through the traffic lights from James Street.

The same policy is seen in action in Nunnery Lane, with a bus stop directly on a junction so traffic travelling up Nunnery Lane toward Blossom Street cannot pass.

These are just a sample of the idiotic actions of York council policy makers. With York recently being named as a pollution hotspot with 12 micrograms per cubic metre, it is high time these policy makers were replaced by someone who will actually keep traffic moving.

Bob Waite,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate, York

Buses should be taken to scrap yard

I totally agree with Peter Bainbridge about travelling on First York buses that are worn out (Letters, April 4).

It’s an absolute disgrace.

My solution would be round all the First York buses up and take them to the nearest scrap yard - that’s all they are good for. Then find someone else to run our buses.

Ian Trapps,

Tang Hall, York