SIR - Have any Worcester News readers stopped to ponder how they are being governed on the subject of traffic congestion?

On the one hand we have the Government asking local councils to look at congestion charging and other ways of penalising motorists by stealth taxes as a way of cutting down on congestion.

On the other hand the Government is forcing increased mileages on all of us. They are closing hospitals, maternity units, schools, post offices and many other essential amenities. All require extra mileage in cars because the public transport system is totally inadequate.

Take schools as an example. No longer do children go to their local primary school where once they probably walked. Now they are either bussed or taken many miles by car to distant schools. I am not against people having a choice of schools, I am against the Government penalising people for exercising that choice.

There is a proposal to increase the number of houses in the area. We are already a dormitory town of Birmingham, Redditch and the rest of the West Midlands. Now we are to produce even more commuter traffic on the M5 which, on current form will probably be chargeable in a few years' time. Heads you lose to the Government and tails the Government wins.

I wonder if congestion charging will be New Labour's equivalent of Thatcher's poll tax?

Terry James, Drakes Broughton.