I AM writing in response to notices about Sustrans' planning application which have appeared at various access points to Hob Moor. I am aware of the many worries expressed by local people about the disturbance to wildlife and to important archaeological features of this ancient stray, but my greatest concerns are for the safety of the proposal in human terms.

Occasionally motorbikes have managed to access the moor and have been seen driving carelessly. The proposed anti-motorcycle barriers are not enough to stop motorbikes accessing the moor.

Any pedestrians and cyclists on the cycleway at that time would be in danger.

I believe there have been incidents of this nature on other York cycleways.

I also fear that providing a brightly-lit, inviting, tunnel entrance would tempt people to cross over the moor when previously they would not have done so.

In the darker months, schoolchildren particularly would venture on to the moor, lulled into a false sense of security because it would be 'an official cycleway'.

Once through the tunnel they would have to traverse large stretches of land, far away from local housing, to reach school or the other side of the moor.

I hope the police are being consulted on this matter because, in the last area where I lived, they flatly refused to agree to pathways across a local park being lit because they feared unaccompanied children, women and young people would be tempted to cross at unsuitable times.

If this cycleway goes ahead, I hope parents will be recommended to accompany their children when crossing the moor.

Mrs Louise Cresser,

Goodwood Grove,

Dringhouses,

York.

Updated: 10:33 Thursday, April 12, 2001