Those who can least afford it are already priced off the roads, and have no option but to travel by buses that are probably among the most expensive in the world, and are frequently unreliable, being stuck in the traffic jams created by those who can afford them.

I do agree that there was an alement of "something must be done, so here's something" about the proposals though. The way ahead is clear, but it's not going to happen, because it involves massive subsidisation of public transport to the point where the convenience of the car is outweighed by the cost differential.

One problem is that the legacy of 60 years of promotion of individualist transport is that that convenience point is moved far down the road, so to speak. Whereas you used to be able to do most of the shopping locally, only going to town occasionally for the specialist items, now basic staples are a car drive away (or two changes of bus). Most local shops deliver no more than low- grade booze, fags, a few convenience foods, and the lottery. And if there's ONE item not available locally that you have to drive for, you've already spent the cost of buying the car, maintaining, insuring and taxing it, and the petrol to get that one item, so you may as well get the lot while you're there.

It's funny how public policy never seems to connect things- the car policy is responsible for so much social ill. Obese kids (and adults), because they are driven everywhere- the roads are unsafe for bikes and often even for walking. Destruction of communities by road schemes and isolated, focusless suburbs. Reduction in interaction between people, and long commuting journeys for parents, so that kids don't get a chance to learn rules of behaviour. The rising tide of asthma is widely believed to be connected with traffic pollution. The spreading ugliness of town and countryside as street lighting and the plethora of signs becomes ubiquitous.

Proposals? Policy 1- make shops, schools, businesses, services local again. That's going to be difficult in areas where some people see shops as a piggy bank to be drawn on when drugs money is needed, so local security will have to be strengthened. Insurance is often difficult, so the state might have to provide this.

Huge tax on out-of-town malls etc. Tax their parking spaces is one way.

frequent, cheap bus service. Trams, rail, tram/rail (railbuses that go all the way into city centres), hybrid electric buses that run on batteries or even IC engines in the remote suburbs, but use the wires in town. City centre taxi-rickshaws for those hard of walking and carrying. Safe, maintained, bikeways and secure bike parking. Ban motor vehicles within 400 yards of schools.

Shut off most of the inner city to private vehicles, and control access to deliveries. The presumption should be walk or bike if you are fit enough.

Massive support for small businesses of all sorts, both in city centres and out of town. Create diversity- lots of small local jobs.

Make people nicer, kinder and more moral.