COLIN RICHARDSON asks Are we being taken for a ride? over the shortfall in the Tour De France budget. (Letters, March 27).

He should know that the planning cycle is finally gearing up to produce a chain of events that in tandem with the cultural festival should steer the project to success if there is the necessary balance and forward momentum without it being saddled with debt.

So we should rally round lest they tire or back-pedal.

Harold Mozley, Blakeney Place, York.