I DRIVE to work to Clifton Moor from Acomb along the overcrowded by-pass.

I notice, as others will, that every school holiday this stretch of road can be a joy to drive along.

It's obvious then that most traffic which usually uses this normally horrific stretch of highway is "the school run"

So why haven't City of York Council and First York come up with the obvious answer to this congestion? The old- style school bus?

The council could drop a questionnaire with our council tax bills asking simple questions such as where do your children travel from and to and then collate this information and organise appropriate bus routes.

I'm sure parents would rather spend a couple of pounds a day on fares - perhaps subsidised by the council - than sit in traffic for more than an hour each trip breathing in the exhaust fumes, becoming impatient at the children. It would save a couple of hours a day for themselves.

But with the congestion charges the council are considering this idea would seriously reduce their income.

Mrs A Annett,

Ridgeway,

Acomb.

Updated: 10:24 Monday, February 23, 2004