I AM sorry Neil Raw suffered some inconvenience due to the serious accident on Lendal Bridge and feels that the police were perhaps a little rude to him (Letters, December 18).

It appears from his letter that he “challenged” the decision to close the road and footpaths while the incident was resolved.

The police make these decisions with good reason and their decision is final and binding on all parties, or you run the risk of the alternatives, perhaps “breaching the peace” for starters.

I was also in town that evening and I was directed on an alternative route via Coney Street and Ouse Bridge, a route that only added some ten minutes to my journey time.

The two policemen at the junction of Lendal and Museum Street were extremely helpful and courteous, and apologised they could not give me any details of the incident.

Additionally, another officer was explaining to bus passengers waiting at St Leonard’s where the alternative pick-ups would be and even escorted some into the Gillygate and Bootham area.

Closing a bridge for hours may be an inconvenience, but is nothing like that caused to the motorists and pedestrian involved in the incident.

George Robinson, Manor Way, Rawcliffe, York.