Letter: Cars: how to combat road congestion

Sir: Yes, British cities are 20 years behind their European counterparts in dealing with the motor car (leading article, 18 August) and much else besides. But this certainly isn't because they don't recognise that the primacy of the car cannot continue. Nor is it because of the strength of the motoring lobby. Nor is it because they do not have the imagination or competence or will to deal with the problem.

Our problem is that we don't have genuine city government in Britain. Our cities have neither the power to raise capital nor the authority to use it to regenerate public transport or to manage the car.

ROBERT PRITCHARD

City Councillor

Leicester