Those of us who use both car and bicycle to go around would support moves by the City of York Council to make life easier for cyclists - like the proposed improvements along Tadcaster Road.

However, there is one part of this package which is both damaging and of doubtful value: the proposed cycle track on Knavesmire, between Knavesmire Gates and the Swallow Hotel.

This would put an obtrusive track down a beautiful avenue of trees; it risks opening up Knavesmire to motorbikes; it risks damaging tree root systems; and it might lead to pressure to provide further fencing to prevent accidents and fouling of the path by livestock. Overall, it would damage a unique area of unspoilt open space and wildlife.

All this might be a worthwhile price to pay if it really helped cyclists and encouraged people out of their cars. But we have serious doubts as to whether this proposed Knavesmire cycle track would in fact achieve either of these objectives.

What most cyclists want, we would guess, is to get from A to B safely and quickly. Cycle-lanes along Tadcaster Road with protected junctions, and which are kept clear of parked cars, would certainly help. But having to make a detour on to the Knavesmire, via spring-loaded gates, would be less attractive.

Alastair and Margaret Cooper,

St George's Place,

York.

...may I take this opportunity to express my concerns regarding the City of York Council's proposal to construct a three-metre wide foot and cycle path on Knavesmire.

Knavesmire is a conservation area and its avenue of trees is unique. It must not be vandalised by a strip of Tarmac or limestone.

Proposed re-modelling of Tadcaster Road would provide properly-marked cycle paths as part of the traffic calming measures. Why is another path required?

I am a motorist, a dog walker and a cyclist and I do not wish to see any further erosion of York's green areas.

R A Jennings,

Ainsty Avenue,

York.

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