THERE has been a barrage of Press readers letters and website comments on the Leeman Road tunnel proposals.

Many commentators appear to be convinced that City of York Council have a done deal. This is not the case. The York Central Partnership has made a recommendation, which the city council must debate and decide upon.

Those of us who took time to attend recent workshop events at the NRM have a greater understanding of how the preferred option was arrived at. ARUP have been retained by the Partnership to advise on traffic options.

They have had access to the city council’s citywide road network computer model used to predict the impact of various developments on vehicle movement.

It is constantly updated, and currently includes all approved developments, draft Local Plan impacts and upgraded A1237 roundabouts.

Various scenarios were modelled for Marble Arch tunnel, with the aim of minimising through car traffic, while maximising efficient passage of buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians.

The one that was selected seemingly has the least overall impact, citywide.

Expanding the road network is ultimately self defeating. Reducing capacity concentrates minds more on travel choices. It gives encouragement to car sharing, combining car journeys, use of City Car Club, more off-peak car travel plus so called “modal shift”, eg getting on a bike for many short journeys. The many who need to use a motor vehicle will especially benefit.

Paul Hepworth,

Windmill Rise,

Holgate, York