I wonder if the administrators at York District Hospital researched the journey habits of existing car park users, before seeking to expand provision?

It is likely that many able-bodied car owners already use their vehicles, for journeys which could be readily made by walking, cycling, bus or taxi. This is at the expense of those patients and staff, for whom the car is the only realistic option.

The phenomena of unleashing suppressed demand is well known to transport planners. Will the prospect of easier parking attract more car owners to use their vehicles unnecessarily? If use of the additional spaces is not strictly controlled, will ambulance drivers have to battle through increased traffic on the hospital approach roads, perhaps losing medically vital seconds of journey time? And will pollution from exhaust emissions be increased yet further?

I am willing to predict that if the car park is enlarged now, it will not be the end of the story.

In a few years the same old moans will be heard again, with requests for triple decking of the structure. It could ultimately climb higher than the Minster.

Anna Semlyen (Letters, April 15) is quite right to raise the issue, for the sake of future generations, if not ours.

Paul F. Hepworth,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.