Letter: Transport need not mean roads: A selection of readers' letters from the overwhelming response to our 10-point plan for recovery

Sir: You argue for pushing ahead with major road and rail projects, pointing out that there will never be a better time to get a favourable price for the job.

Light rail transit (LRT) is one vital element of public transport infrastructure that will provide an alternative to looming gridlock in our cities. However, the Government presently makes a paltry pounds 50m a year available for LRT development nationally, with the result that, now Manchester Metrolink is up and running, the only other scheme under construction is the pounds 230m Sheffield Supertram which, under present funding arrangements, will take up all available finance nationally for the next few years.

Here in the West Midlands, we fully expected a go-ahead this year for our own Midland Metro Line One from Birmingham to Wolverhampton. We had achieved the legislative powers, had passed the Government's stringent financial appraisals with flying colours and had started the tendering process.

In June I was stunned to learn that the project could not now go ahead, nor would it until the economy recovered. We are all ready to go, with consortia desperate to compete for the job, but no idea when, or if, we will be allowed to proceed.

LRT development, after a modest and hesitant start, has already hit the buffers as a result of government policies. A U-turn in this vital area is essential for the future of our conurbations.

Yours sincerely,

R. V. WORRALL

Chairman

West Midlands Passenger

Transport Authority

Birmingham

22 October