The Soap Box on July 13 headlined “Surface tension over city buses” makes a tenuous connection with the ftr passing over this road and causing a need for repairs.

Presumably since “it has come to the writer’s notice” he may not be a user of this route.

A reference to the York planned roadworks schemes 2010/11 would bring to his notice many more similar roadworks across York which are not frequented by the ftr, but will be affected by maintenance due to general wear and tear. Sadly, Holly Bank has missed out again.

Of course, every sympathy can be afforded for this resident’s unfortunate situation. The problems described certainly need attention, but is it really necessary to attempt to connect the potholes, etc, in Hollybank with the long-suffering ftr?

J Beisly, Osprey Close, York.

• Mr Cox (Surface tension over city buses, July 13) is incorrect to claim that Eason View was resurfaced when the ftr bus was introduced.

Cornlands Road, Tudor Road and part of Chaloners Road were resurfaced, but Eason View was not.

The only works carried out were to upgrade the two bus stops with raised kerbs and new flagging.

When double yellow lines were introduced, vehicle crossings were constructed to ensure that parking could take place off road.

In 2008 Eason View scored two (average) in the annual highway maintenance survey and in 2009 this dropped to three (poor).

As part of the Liberal Democrat budget, agreed in February, we allocated an extra £1 million to resurfacing roads across the city for the second year in a row, including a number of roads in Holgate.

The severe winter did a great deal of damage to roads across the city, and the council has been working hard to carry out repairs alongside the annual rolling programme of road and footpath reconstruction.

Residents wishing to report potholes or damaged road surfaces can do so either online via the City of York Council website or by phoning 01904 551550.

Coun Ann Reid, Executive member for neighbourhood services and councillor for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe, Grassholme, York.