‘Our provision for anyone not in a car is pitiful’ in York

I READ with interest the perceived opposition to council proposals for restricting private car use along Rougier Street.

The reality is however that such brave interventions are absolutely necessary if we are to create truly safe and accessible streets and places in our city for everybody.

There is such a great, repressed demand for safe cycling routes within this city but at present we are nowhere near comparable to most other comparable cities.

Even Leeds has better cyclist provision than we do!

This is York, a city that was once known as a true ‘cycling city!’ but when compared to places such as Cambridge our provision for anyone not in a car is pitiful.

We are a compact city and a bicycle is by far the most efficient way to get around it. Making the area around Ouse Bridge safer and more pedestrian friendly is essential to enable those who currently do not cycle due to it being far too dangerous (which it is) the opportunity to use their city centre more.

For all those in opposition, they need to realise that for every cycle on the road, taking up a small width of tarmac, it means one less car taking up a whole lane in front of them.

If York would actually give those cyclists safe lanes within which to ride, it would certainly free up this city.

A Graham,

Moss Bank Court,

Rosemary Road,

Acomb, York

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Puzzled over decades of central funding cuts

I CANNOT understand why central government has cut central funding to York for decades.

Just because York has the Minster and some Roman and Viking roots, and some well off areas, doesn’t mean there are not many, many families struggling, not to mention the over familiar potholes, struggling libraries and community sporting venues, schools with challenged funds and a disturbingly increasing number of crumbling infrastructure issues from elderly bridges to collapsing sewers and water pipes.

Then there is social care….I’ve probably only touched the surface.

I first became aware of this, in my view, anomaly when leading the fight to save the Barbican Pool. Then it was funding for leisure and keeping communities fit and safe in a river city. Some 18 schools lost their swimming lesson venue. And the City Baths Club lost a central venue.

Nothing has changed. Funding has got worse. I understand the large inner city comparison and differences. However that doesn’t make the comparison and reasoning sound.

There is not only the sanitised, in ‘Patience’ on tv view, York. Ask the Salvation Army, social kitchens, food banks and so many others.

Dot Nicholson,

Fishergate,

York

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TV show is ‘fantastic advert for York’

MUCH has been said regarding the inaccuracies in the Patience detective drama series.

The criticism aimed by locals is based around the filming taking place in York and in Antwerp and Bruges in Belgium – different cities but they gel well together.

The whole series has been a fantastic advert for both York and Patience’s way of highlighting her autism.

I for one am looking hopefully forward to a new series of this enthralling detective programme.

D M Deamer,

Penleys Grove Street,

Monkgate

York

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