SIR - What congestion? People of Worcester with a modicum of intelligence have known for years that any congestion problems in our city are usually associated with school traffic. Rather than tackle the root cause of the problem and organise adequate bus facilities for pupils, we hear that some crackpot congestion charge scheme is on the cards.

The only result of this idea will be yet another little earner for a council which is already bleeding the citizens of Worcester dry. On a similar note, Worcester City Council's Simon Geraghty states in the Worcester News that car parking charges within the city are to rise once again. Why? Perhaps Councillor Geraghty will swoon at my proposal, but I believe that tax-paying citizens of Worcester should receive a pass enabling them to park freely for up to an hour in any car park in the city. Let us not forget that our councillors have their own little car park at the rear of the Guildhall which to my knowledge is not yet a pay and display area.

I suggest that anyone who is disgusted at the level of parking charges in Worcester takes my advice and and has a nice ride down to the Cotswolds. There you will find interesting little towns with super individual shops, instead of the proliferation of chain stores, free or inexpensive parking, clean streets and no hint of a congestion charge.

JOHN PRATT,

Worcester.