After an extended Far East tour, my return to York last Saturday brought me back to earth.

York station taxi rank was in complete chaos caused by the inept one way, u-bend traffic system; zebra crossings with hundreds of people pouring in and out; traffic lights that played no constructive part or, sadly, British Transport Police who made no attempt to control matters.

This traffic system introduced many years ago is a dismal failure. York station is a major transport hub and needs priority.

Although there are extensive proposed plans in the vicinity, something needs to be done now.

I have sympathy for the taxi drivers who have to endure this incompetence - with a subsequent hit on their income - because they are literally trapped.

Nothing moved for minutes, by which time the taxi clock was running at £5 - and we were still in the station precinct! So we, the customers, suffer - £3:50 extra for me.

I propose the zebras in the u-system should be removed; railings erected around the whole u-system barring passengers entering the station except at the station car park or taxi entrances.

A direct exit for taxi and station traffic without using the one way system; traffic lights moved back to allow easy free traffic movement with a priority to station traffic and prevent blockage.

The only vehicles using the u-bend should be for station parking.

Keith Massey,

Bishopthorpe,York