IF ONLY pollution was the only problem cars bring and could be solved by a technical fix as Mr McKie believes, then we would have solved it years ago. Unfortunately reality is more complicated. Yes, car engines are becoming more efficient, but this is overwhelmed by the increased pollution from more cars on the road and these cars being driven greater distances.

Recent figures measured from cars and buses with an average number of people in them in Manchester show that cars use almost twice as much energy per person as buses. Other scientific studies show cars produce a staggering seven times as much carbon monoxide, 75% more carbon dioxide and 52% more nitrous oxides per passenger.

The only major pollutant that buses produce more of is smoke particles and we are certainly not complacent about this. We are actively encouraging our local bus companies to use cleaner 'City Diesel' and to buy newer less polluting buses. However because there are far more lorries than buses on our roads then most of the particulate in the air in Warrington is from lorries.

As a Council we are certainly worried about fumes from lorries and I would agree that lorries going to Arpley tip are a particular concern. This is why we were pleased at the proposals to build a rail terminal. If only we could persuade communities in Manchester and Merseyside to dispose of their own waste, then conditions for residents would be even better!

The point Mr McKie raises about Milner Street is easily dealt with. We know that when similar schemes have been built in other towns, then accidents have reduced dramatically and we can be absolutely certain that the area will be safer for everyone. When we know that for every year we delay another three people would end up in hospital and another 30 accidents would happen then it would be absurd to stop the scheme.

20 years of believing cars were the only transport worth bothering with has left a lot of problems. Transport is a great balancing act - cars are part of the solution, but they must not rule our lives.

COUNCILLOR PETER BLACK

Chair of Highway Management

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.