PAUL HEPWORTH (Letters, January 17) correctly points out that professional advice on options for York outer ring road identified the roundabouts as the limiting factor for traffic flow.

‘Induced traffic’ is also a well documented side-effect undermining the ‘benefits’ of increasing road capacity.

However, my presence at the cross-party meeting does not signify support for upgrading; rather a desire to scrutinise the proposed investment of public money in an expensive, unsustainable project of questionable value.

The paper presented by the director made clear there is no identified source of funding for anything other than “low-level intervention”. Even this will not be forthcoming, unless linked benefits in terms of promoting better public transport, walking and cycling can be clearly demonstrated.

Extensive new housing proposed in the Local Plan would increase traffic levels further, but not generate developer contributions on the scale needed to fund junction flyovers, the only really effective option.

While it no doubt gave Coun James Alexander and the local MPs a warm glow to claim that they are ‘doing something’ about the congestion, on this issue readers would be justified in believing that “the emperors have no clothes”.

Coun Andy D’Agorne, Green Party group leader, Broadway West, York.

 

• YET again Paul Hepworth has his facts wrong.

He seems to think that any extra bit of Tarmac that is laid down people will go out and buy an extra car to run on it. This is not the case as any extra traffic on a dualled A1237 will come from other less suitable roads.

The sooner the A1237 is dualled with grade separated junctions, the better for all users. It would also greatly improve the reliability of buses crossing this road, something which can take more than 20 minutes at peak times.

I am also sure that cyclists will still be provided for with this road’s upgrading. Mr Hepworth has proved that he is anti-car by the context of his letters, which I am sure most people are fed up of reading.

Ian Foster, Hawthorne Avenue, Haxby, York.