January 28, 2002

Dear Sir,

Once Government's proposed improvements to the bus and ferry systems are in place, we might want to consider using some tried and tested schemes that encourage people out of their cars and into public transport without necessarily taking away their right to owning a private car.

One such scheme, used by some French cities on days when pollution levels are judged to be dangerously high, is to allow only odd or even-numbered vehicles onto city streets. If your number plate ends with an odd number on an even day, you take to the buses or the ferries, or you carpool.

Several European cities also promote an annual car-free day in which large urban areas are closed to all private cars for the day. The object is to awaken people to the possibilities of public transport and to show them how much more pleasant the urban environment can be when the all-conquering car is forced to take a back seat.

Of course, these proposals will only function once the public infrastructure can cope with the added load but they may be worth bearing in mind since, if carried out successfully, they help to dissuade people from using their cars. And being dissuaded from doing something is always more palatable that being banned.

HAPPY TO WALK (BUT NOT ALL THE TIME)

Warwick