Letter - Driven to Distraction

Driven to Distraction

To: Stephen Emerson
Teesdale Mercury 14 August 2006

Ref; Driven to Distraction

Dear Stephen,
I read your article on the proposed government taxation of 4 x 4 vehicles with interest.

As a 4 x 4 owner myself and a supporter of control on greenhouse gases, I think the present government have missed the point somewhat. I drive my 4 x 4 as a matter of personal choice on the grounds that it is a safe vehicle, it gets me around even in adverse weather, it can carry all my leisure equipment and passengers without discomfort and above all it is reasonably economical on average.

If the government were indeed only thinking of the control of greenhouse gases, not just making money out of the average motorist, then they should be looking at the really heavy polluting vehicles.

Will other vehicles such as people carriers, mini buses and light vans, trucks and busses, as well as the luxury car owners be hit in a similar way?

Should the government be so concerned about green house gases they could at one move greatly reduce emissions, make roads safer and reduce high maintenance costs by simply removing long distance heavy haulage from the roads and putting it onto the railways.

Not possible? Just look when you travel by rail, at each station the train calls at and you will see large stores and companies within easy reach of the rail track, so why can these companies not move bulk loads by rail to the nearest station and then distribute locally by “light” goods vehicles. Why was the Royal Mail taken off the rail service?

It is time for people power to come into action, make the government see sense and listen to the people they are supposed to represent. We need to act now!

I can add to this at infinitum but you want to hear more then please contact me.

Regards

Terry Robinson
BA.FICA.MIEE.MILM
Bishop Auckland