IF the Ascot "blueprint" is to be repeated in the future (June 20) it must not include the temporary reopening of Terry Avenue to taxis.

The pedal cycle lobby groups in York chose to co-operate with its reopening for the duration of Ascot, because of the unique nature of the event and exceptional level of vehicle movements it would bring.

Terry Avenue is a key link in the local and national cycle networks. The repeated presence of vehicles will destroy its ambience, reduce air quality and place its cyclist and pedestrian users at greater risk of collision.

If the city council wishes to reopen Terry Avenue for subsequent race meetings they must first seek to obtain a temporary traffic order for the few days duration of each event.

If this is approved, it would temporarily override the route's permanent traffic order, and legally permit taxis to return.

The pedal cycle lobby groups will formally object to any temporary traffic orders published, and we hope regular users of the route will do likewise.

More happily, we noted that Look North's Harry Gration was filmed riding his bike to Ascot.

As he said, it was the quickest way to get there.

Paul Hepworth,

Press officer,

Cyclists Touring Club North Yorkshire,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate,

York.

Updated: 09:37 Thursday, June 23, 2005