I SUPPORTED your Close The Gaps campaign during my chairmanship of the York Advanced Motorists Group, from which I am now retired.

I have not changed my views but I do not support the proposal for a 50mph speed limit nor do I agree with the comparison with the Eckersley experiment (April 12).

While there is no doubt the latter has saved lives and reduced casualties, it is still a fudge on what should be done, which is the installation of a road and pedestrian bridge, providing access from the far side of the A1 to the village of Eckersley.

I firmly believe in an immediate and complete closure of the gap at Bilborough and, at the same time, challenge the validity of it remaining open.

Considering there are virtually identical food, fuel and accommodation facilities on both sides of the A64 within a quarter of a mile of each other there is simply no case for motorists needing to cross by the notorious gap.

Only vehicles delivering supplies to both facilities need access. It is not asking too much for them to travel just a couple of miles to Copmanthorpe or Tadcaster, cross the A64 by the bridges already in existence and retrace the short extra distance. It would be a small expenditure in fuel and time and a cheaper way of saving lives. As for pedestrians, building a foot bridge is a must - far cheaper than the proposed vehicle bridge due in 2004.

J C Potter,

Eastfield Avenue,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 10:52 Thursday, April 19, 2001