THE residents of Heslington Road, York, at present have the best bus service in the city. From next month, when the No 4 is re-routed to Lawrence Street, we shall be without a bus service.

What alternatives have been explored, including City of York Council no longer allowing double parking on Heslington Road?

At present at least six bus routes travel down Lawrence Street - how about the No 10 being re-routed or East Yorkshire Bus Company reverting to its original route down Heslington Road (or Top Line, for that matter).

When the superbus arrives I imagine that would affect their business.

The university term only lasts for 33 weeks so will the superbus only operate during that time?

We have already had two weeks without a bus service because of road resurfacing and now face another three.

The cynic in me wonders if this is to get us used to having no access to public transport. Please don't suggest a cut through to Lawrence Street. This is totally unrealistic for elderly people. It is a ten-minute walk for me but coming back from town it is impossible to carry heavy bags home from Lawrence Street.

Of course it may just be that because of the number of elderly people qualifying for free or subsidised travel in Heslington Road, First and the city council have found a novel way of saving costs by not providing transport at all.

Joan Hughes,

Blakeney Place, York.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, September 07, 2005