Turn off traffic lights

PLANS to reduce motorway speed limits to 60mph to cope with pollution (Mail) are so clearly futile that the true motivation must be the prospect of increased income from fines.

The slower that road traffic moves, the more polluting it becomes, being worst when stationary with an idling engine. This is recognised with recent developments such as vehicles whose engines cut out when at rest and plans to remove speed humps and pinch points.

The next target should be traffic lights, most of which do nothing to improve flow outside peak periods and are responsible for huge amounts of pollution.

The majority of traffic lights could safely default to flashing amber or be turned off for most of the day and night.

A. DYSON, Folkestone, Kent. WITHIN days of being told we can only drive electric cars from 2040, British Gas announces a 12.5 per cent increase on its electricity charges. And this is at a time when public sector workers are being held to a 1 per cent wage increase.

ALAN WARD, Sleaford, Lincs.