PERMANENTLY closing York's Lendal Bridge to traffic is a radical suggestion. It was prompted after the bridge's temporary closure eased traffic congestion around Bootham and Gillygate. And the area outside Museum Gardens has become more pleasant for pedestrians.

Highway planners thought the unthinkable once before by introducing the footstreets, with great success. But this is a different proposition. It would cut off a major route around the city centre. Already the effect of the displaced cars has caused jams in other parts of York.

This is also an important link to the railway station. To dissuade people from taking train journeys would be counter productive. Clearly this bright idea needs much further investigation.