Letter: Waiting for the electric bus

Sir: Electric cars (letter, 26 September) would solve localised pollution in our cities but not the other main problem caused by car traffic: congestion. It is well accepted that traffic increases to fill the space available.

Electric buses could bring a real improvement. In some towns and cities cars have already been excluded to the advantage of buses, and this clears road space to improve bus transport times. Unfortunately, it also gives buses a free run on the streets, with an ensuing adverse environmental impact - high speeds, intimidating size, thunderous noise and diesel fumes. What is needed is low-impact, low-speed electric buses within our towns to make them a pleasure to be in.

JD WRIGHT

Thornaby-on-Tees