I READ with interest your article (Evening News, Wednesday, December 19) concerning the county council's plans to offer "quality alternatives" to cars in Worcester.

While improved public transport and provision for cyclists is a laudable aim in itself and this financial award is to be welcomed, there is a more urgent need to improve the basic transport infrastructure for the benefit of all.

A far larger number of local people depend on their cars than on bicycles and public transport, especially given the rural character of the county.

While there is a current drive - headed by the Government - to reduce the number of cars on the road, all the relevant studies of driving habits indicate that this aim is simply unrealistic.

Motorists in the UK already suffer under the most punitive tax regime in the European Union and they deserve a break. The council would be better concentrating on this fact and doing all that they can to upgrade the general state of the road network in the county and relieve bottlenecks, rather than looking to fashionable alternatives to the preferred choice for most - the private motor car.

PHILIP BRADBOURN, MEP, European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, Brussels - 1047, Belgium.