PAUL Hepworth is wide of the mark in his letter (October 7).

Presently car owners have the right to go where they please, even into the centre of York provided they and their vehicles meet legal requirements. This is a privilege for which motorists pay handsomely.

Without this income all taxes, including council tax, would have to be raised hugely, bringing grief to everyone including the cycling community who pay nothing into the pot for transport, but expect every consideration regardless of how it affects anyone else.

Mr Hepworth must understand that a lot of the traffic that he continually moans about carries essential community workers (nurses, carers, etc) who cannot work from a bicycle.

People do not drive around York for fun. Cycling can and should be used when possible but for many it is simply not a viable option.

Instead of lifting all restrictions and waiting for gridlock to happen as Mr Hepworth suggests, we could have days when all traffic is banned from the centre of York and simply wait for the jobs and businesses to disappear and for the city council to go bankrupt.

York needs to cope with motoring demands in order to progress and attract people into the city.

These demands have to be dealt with but not with a blunt instrument approach.

Imagination, planning, determination and compromise in large quantities are required from all parties to solve this problem.

And, more understanding from all concerned would help instead of everyone shouting for their own particular, jaundiced preference at every opportunity.

Steve Helsdon,

Howe Hill Close,

Holgate, York.

Updated: 10:57 Monday, October 11, 2004