As a resident of the area (Straylands and Woodlands Groves) threatened with a rising bollard, I agree wholeheartedly with those who have written to the Press to object to the term "rat-run".

Many other residents also regard this route as a perfectly legitimate thoroughfare used by many motorists who would be severely inconvenienced if unable to do so.

The suggestion was not made by residents in the first place but we were confronted with a questionnaire detailing a number of possible choices - eg: speed humps, access-only notices etc. I believe the percentage quoted as having voted for the bollard was very misleading - 183 residents were said to have voted of which 70 per cent were in favour of the bollard. The number of residents in the area is around 550, which brings the total of those in favour to 22 per cent and many of these are now reconsidering their decision.

Several residents did, in fact, attend the transport and planning committee meeting on December 1 and all spoke against the bollard.

However, the vote went against us and the next stage will be the publication of a traffic regulation proposal. Everyone affected in any way will be able to object to the proposal. Please watch out for this and write to the council in your hundreds.

Continue to write to the Evening Press too.

Jean Frost,

Elmpark Way, York.

Updated: 09:27 Monday, December 06, 2004