M J Natt suggested (Letters July 2) that the only way to reduce air pollution in York is to “keep traffic moving”.

This reflects the views of some past commentators, who seem to share a belief that buying a car also entitles the owner to delay-free journeys. But for as long as there is unrestricted private car access to the road network at peak times, traffic will not “flow” as some would wish it to. The reality is that our roads are not made of elastic.

They have a finite capacity, and we must use them more intelligently.

Previous councils in York introduced a raft of measures, through successive Local Transport Plans, to encourage take-up of alternative transport.

These have taken millions of car journeys off York’s roads over the last two decades. Without it, we would already be experiencing gridlock.

The current Local Transport Plan aims to build on this work by further reducing car dependency through smarter choices for some journeys.

Park&Ride, car sharing and cycling will make far more efficient use of road space than single-occupancy cars.

To be competitive they will require yet more artificial priority measures such as bus lanes and gates, plus cycle routes. Preferential treatment could also be given to those who car share.

Without all this, the grim truth is that York’s congestion levels will almost treble and cost the city £104 million a year by 2026.

Paul Hepworth, Windmill Rise, York.