Budget for cycling

I believe Judith will find the answer to her question “what planet are these people on?” by reading carefully the response from Cycling City.

Consultation on the “improvements” supposedly carried out did not involve the main users of said facilities, the taxis and the car-using members of the public. Neither did they involve pedestrians.

Another patronising comment, which illustrates just how out of touch these people are, was the statement that the funding was from central government and not the taxpayer. Who pays the money into central government?

However, the most inaccurate comment from Cycling City was to say that many York residents have waited to see these “improvements” for years. Anyone who actually believes that should spend the day outside York station where the air is usually blue with the derogatory comments about traffic management.

If they cannot face that they would be well advised to return to their planet of origin.

Liz Edge, Parkside Close, York.

• SOME time ago, we were told that a sum of some £3 million had been allocated to York to improve cycling facilities. I think I remarked at the time that this was an awful lot of green paint.

This money apparently comes from an organisation called Sustrans. I checked this organisation on the computer and, not to my surprise, found it was money from central government, the taxpayer.

This, of course, called for rejoicing in certain quarters. Paul Hepworth and his alter ego, Pedalling Paul, were seen throwing their cycle clips over Holgate windmill.

Since then it has all gone very quiet on this matter and although several cycling schemes of doubtful benefit have been introduced, no mention has been made of this money (or have I missed it?).

As a taxpayer, perhaps somebody could tell me where it is, what it has been spent and if is there any remaining?

Mike Usherwood, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.