The recently submitted York Central planning application includes a proposal to turn the Marble Arch into a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, and reserve one lane in the road tunnel alongside for cyclists.

The other lane would be used by motor vehicles, in only one direction at a time, controlled by traffic lights.

Is this proposal legal? Tunnels are terrible places for exhaust fumes, yet cyclists are expected to put up with them. Given the amount of attention paid to air quality these days, you’d think that would rule it out.

Unless the road tunnel is barred to all but electric vehicles, it wouldn’t surprise me if cyclists use the pedestrian tunnel instead.

Alan Robinson,

Lindley Street, Holgate, York