I agree with A.D Skipp's letter about how successive Governments have encouraged the car culture (Times Series, August 27).

The Government says that it wants to reduce car use, but it is not doing its part. It continues to allow the closure of local services such as schools, hospitals and shops, necessitating people driving extra miles. Offices near to stations continue to close and are re-locating to new buildings on greenfield sites which need a car to access. Housing estates are built without local community services and shops, so that a car must be used.

Many people don't want the stress of driving, but because of poor Government and council planning they have become dependent on the car.

Governments should also give incentives for diesel vehicle owners and truck companies to change to the new low sulphur diesel which contains 90 per cent less of harmful sulphur than normal diesel fuel.

C Wells, Dulverton Road, Ruislip

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.