I AM amazed that the permanent closure of Lendal Bridge could even be considered.

While it is undoubtedly true that congestion and pollution has decreased around St Leonard's Place, have the planners even considered the effect that the closure has had on traffic flow on routes into the city?

During the present closure the traffic flow from other parts of the area into the city centre has been severely disrupted.

Entry from the A59 has been grid- locked daily and a journey of three miles has changed from 15 minutes to almost an hour, similarly the journey from the B1224.

The pleasant atmosphere around the Theatre Royal area may well have appealed to the visitors to York, however it is surely time that the planners took into consideration the many citizens of York going about their daily business.

Faith M Seward,

The Paddock, York.

...CAN it be true that Paul Hepworth telephoned 206 times in the Evening Press's phone poll (October 13) to register his vote in favour of the permanent closure of Lendal Bridge?

'Travel conditions for permitted users of Lendal Bridge have improved out of all recognition ...' he wrote (October 14).

What a nave statement. The pedestrianised streets would be pleasanter to walk in if were not for the rogue cyclists.

And I wonder where Bill Woolley, assistant director of the city council's transport department, thinks all the cars have gone?

Vanished into thin air? Come on, get real. Those cars are causing congestion elsewhere. If the permanent closure goes ahead - and no, I am not 100 per cent against the idea - will provision be made in those wonderful council budgets for the upkeep and maintenance of the 'alternative route' roads?

We have waited many years for a slice of the budget to resurface a local road. We were ignored in the Haxby/Wigginton traffic calming scheme and the road has undoubtedly suffered through extra traffic avoiding the humps and chicanes elsewhere. The road was 'surface dressed' about six weeks ago. This, we were told, would give it extra life at low cost. The job was so bad the road is again marked out for pothole filling.

So those people unfortunate enough to live on or near to an 'alternative route' make sure you ask the right questions when it comes to consultation.

A L Rowntree,

Walmer Carr,

Wigginton, York.