FOLLOWING the closure of Lendal Bridge for repairs, the council officers and our representatives were reported as being in favour of a permanent closure.

One of the main benefits was stated to be the cleaner air round the council offices.

What hypocrisy! I am sure they are right, but this does not deter crazy schemes that increase pollution. Take the access to the roundabout at the end of Skeldergate Bridge. Back in the summer, there were two lanes of traffic, but these were reduced to one to allow for a cycle lane.

The result has been morning tailbacks to Southlands church on Bishopthorpe Road, not just for half an hour or so, but from about 8am until 10.30am. The air quality for people on Prices Lane, Nunnery Lane and Bishophill must have deteriorated considerably; not to mention the added danger to cyclists having to negotiate the long queues of slow or stationary traffic.

There is room for both a cycle lane and two traffic lanes at this point. Let us hope that work to widen the road and improve traffic flow will be given urgent action - I write both as a cyclist and a motorist.

C E Bush,

Albemarle Road,

York.