IT is ironic that in the same week that I received a leaflet from the City of York Council entitled 'We must move forward on transport' where they list improving public transport as one of the top five suggestions from residents, First York have reduced the frequency and changed the routes of its bus services.

I live near Rivelin Way at Clifton Moor and until the end of May I enjoyed a reasonably frequent service of up to three buses an hour travelling down Oakdale Road. Namely, the numbers 18 and 19. The 18's route no longer includes Oakdale Road at all and the 19 service is now hourly.

If I wish to use any bus other than the 19 I have to walk up to Tesco, which is ten minutes away - and much more for people living anywhere off Oakdale Road.

Clifton Moor is a massive residential estate and an hourly service on Oakdale Road is totally insufficient.

Because of the infrequency and impracticality of the new service it is obvious that many people who live in the Clifton Moor area and work in the city will have to resort to using their cars again.

First York has got a monopoly on the bus service in the city and seems to be abusing the privilege by introducing unpopular changes to its timetable.

City of York Council wants to reduce traffic congestion. One of the first steps would be to increase the number of people using buses.

This could be done if the service was realistic and frequent. Why do these two organisations, who work closely together, appear to be working in opposite directions?

D Maclennan,

Morehall Close,

York.

...WE already know where changes to York's traffic are required.

Drastic measures are needed now, to put right the mistakes that were made just after the Second World War when re-building in and around the city began.

The growth in traffic and the need for a good road system was not given priority. What was done was not adequate; not enough flyovers at busy junctions or in areas where a road can't be cut through, such as Clarence Street car park, over Bootham Park to the rail bridge area in Bootham, a one-way bridge over the river to Leeman Road from Marygate car park, and yet another bridge close to the new foot-bridge over the Ouse.

What a difference it would make to the bottlenecks at the city's traffic black spots.

Let's use some of the petrol and road fund taxes to pay for improvements.

E Phillips,

Severus Avenue,

Acomb,

York.