I REALLY must take issue with the comments made by Coun Vassie in his letter (December 14).

There are a great number of potential problems in using Ouse Bridge as the low emissions zone control area. I am concerned that traffic displaced from Ouse Bridge will be forced on to the inner ring road and into those areas of the city that already suffer from poor air quality.

Areas such as Leeman Road, Lawrence Street, Gillygate, Nunnery Lane and Prices Lane already breach or are at danger of breaching air quality standards. Residents in these areas will be put at greater risk by only allowing the most up-to-date cars over Ouse Bridge as all others will have to use alternative routes.

At the meeting when it was decided that the feasibility study should go ahead, I requested that the impact on these areas must be included in the report back to councillors.

What is needed are measures to reduce traffic in these areas, not ones that could increase congestion around the inner ring road. Residents must have full information and be fully consulted on any future proposals if they are not to regard this as congestion charging by the back door.

Coun Ruth Potter,

Labour spokesperson environment and sustainability,

Chaucer Street,

York.

Updated: 08:52 Wednesday, December 21, 2005