I was pleased to see the letter praising the work of Albert Cowan in instituting a scheme of pedestrianisation in York (Letters, June 14).

I would be even more pleased if the scheme were reality instead of wishful thinking.

I have had nothing but empty promises in years of nagging City of York Council over the enormous numbers of breaches in their system.

I realise that they are cash-strapped and money is spent on other projects. I suggest the following reforms, which would involve minimal expenditure:

1. Councillors or officials should visit pedestrianised roads themselves and see how regulations are flouted

2. Signs indicating traffic-free hours should be much more prominent so drivers cannot pretend not to have seen them

3. Physical barriers, that is posts in the road, should be put in place in all pedestrianised streets

4. Disabled persons should be subject to the same regulations as the public at large and do their shopping by car, where necessary, outside the prohibited hours. Disabled permits are widely abused. I write as a disabled person.

These flouted regulations are dangerous to pedestrians and make a mockery of the council.

David Rubinstein, Portland Street, York.