IN view of the recent incidents leading to the closure of the A64 and the subsequent traffic gridlock caused, would it not make sense to have a contingency plan to ease traffic flow in and around York?

The plan could be to temporarily waive the access-only routes through the city centre - Piccadilly, Coppergate, Stonebow etc - to enable traffic to disperse.

This information could be relayed to motorists via the new electronic signs on the inner and outer ring roads.

The only information on these signs on Thursday, July 10 referred to York Races: "congestion expected, try walking".

This wasn't really much help.

It is a good idea, but the signs can only be effective if information is constantly updated.

Nick Duck,

Wains Road,

Dringhouses, York.

Updated: 10:35 Thursday, July 17, 2003