WOULD anyone updating York’s ring road start by considering the replacement of the existing roundabouts? The head of the council’s transport, Tony Clarke, would (Letters, November 26). In his letter, he announces that preliminary design work is under way.

Whatever causes such mental aberrations, it is catching. Instance the parallel approach to the way in which the head of planning and environment, Martin Grainger, began his housing proposals for York by calling for sites and working with developers in anticipation of approval of York’s halted Local Plan.

Mr Clarke considers expensive alterations made to the Fulford, Harrogate and Strensall Road roundabouts have reduced journey times. In reality they have not only served to decant traffic from side roads on to a gridlocked ring road much faster, but have also increased danger by complicating manoeuvres.

If Mr Clarke expected plaudits for committing £37 million to increasing the size and complexity of the roundabouts, I wonder what criticisms he is anticipating now that the bid for dualling the ring road has been rejected by Government?

I hope it is not too late to pull the plug on a scheme intended to commit massive public expenditure to achieve absolutely nothing.

Allan Charlesworth, Old Earswick, York.