York NHS Trust has put in a planning bid for a 600 space two-storey car park (Evening Press, March 29).

This increases overall spaces by more than 200 at the Wigginton Road site.

Traffic models predict that queues will increase from 75 to 277 vehicles. Gillygate, which already has serious air pollution problems with nitrogen oxides, will suffer.

Measurements at St Leonard's Place were 2.4 times above standards for 2005.

Cars attracted by the new parking facility will cause a 335 per cent increase in morning congestion and 275 per cent in the evening.

The result - city gridlock.

We must not allow this to happen.

Nor should the hospital have applied for the extra parking given that traffic worsens our health in respiratory diseases, accidents and subsequent disability.

Write to David Young, Transport Planning, 9 St Leonard's Place, York to object to any additional parking.

Traffic reduction is the only effective cure for our problem.

I urge you to attend a meeting on traffic pollution on Thursday, April 22 at 7.30pm at Guildhall, organised by the Cycle Campaign. Entry is free. For more details ring me on (01904) 654355.

Anna Semlyen,

York Cycle Campaign,

Grange Street,

York.

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