TODAY the vast majority of young people want a car as soon as they are legally able to drive. At the other end of life the last thing that elderly people want to give up is their car.

This means that most of us will drive around 60 years, with our car usage increasing with our age.

Public transport at present is expensive and does not give the privacy, comfort or convenience of the car.

Our lifestyles, where both partners work, make shopping a once a week task so there are many bags to carry. Carrying this amount of shopping onto the bus and then from the bus stop to our homes is not viable or possible.

Our places of work are often many miles from our homes causing strain on roads and parking. Cycling these distances is not viable.

Parents take their children to school and other activities by car because of the distances involved and dangers from perverts and traffic.

I cycle in the city when I can, but like many others I do not know if my bike will still be where I left it chained or in one piece when I get back to it; and I am exceedingly limited as to the amount I can safely carry.

These factors (and there are many more) indicate that the car is not only the preferred mode of transport but is necessary and here to stay.

It should be obvious to any reasonable thinking person that more parking spaces are needed if the city is to prosper.

Steve Helsdon,

Howe Hill Close,

Holgate,

York.

Updated: 10:37 Monday, June 17, 2002