THE somewhat optimistic park and ride idea for the north of the city seems to be being treated as a serious suggestion to solve transport/parking difficulties within Hereford.

Park and ride will only be successful if drivers who are stuck in slow moving traffic can feel jealous of those lucky souls cruising past them on a bus, moving freely in a designated lane. This will not happen overnight, but the freer the bus flow the more drivers will leave the car behind.

To achieve the vision of free flowing bus services travelling in from the north into Hereford, will require considerable expenditure. The widening of the A49 next to Widemarsh Common and also the railway bridge; the reduction of Edgar Street to accommodate bus lanes, apart from the construction and maintenance of the park and ride site.

Given the current finances, this expenditure is extremely unlikely and thus gives rise to the suspicion that the latest parking increases are really revenue raising again.

STEVE BEDDARD Aylesbrook, Hereford.