Letter: Combatting car fumes

Sir: New evidence ("6,000 heart attacks a year from car fumes", 5 August) supports the Government's commitment to reducing private car usage, and demonstrates that urban traffic congestion is a burden on the NHS as well as UK business.

The research also strengthens the case of those arguing for a reversal of the road hierarchy to one favouring public transport over private - which incorporates a public transport "carrot" (smooth flow of buses) with a private transport "stick" (reduced private road space).

A first step in the right direction is to combat the blocking of bus lanes with the use of cameras fitted to the front of buses to identify offending motorists - currently being piloted in North London.

Many urban car users will be reticent to leave their car at home if alternative transport is not seen to be quicker.

JOEY HUGHES

Socialist Environment &

Resources Association

London N4