Cycling is not an alternative

I HAVE to say that Vincent Walsh is talking nonsense in his letter of ‘Discouraging car addiction’ (Viewpoints, November 12).

To compare public transport in Manchester to that of London is not comparing like for like.

I lived in London for some years and on a working day could travel from one side of the city to the other in 20 minutes on the Tube.

If I missed a Tube, no problem, another one would be there in a few minutes.

We do not have that luxury in Manchester.

The Metrolink takes an eternity to travel across the city, even if I was lucky enough to live near a station, which I don’t.

Because he is lucky enough to have a job where he can cycle to work he seems to think other people should do the same.

Try telling thousands of city office workers that they should commute miles to work on a bicycle in the pouring rain and winter weather, wearing a suit, shirt and tie, and carrying a laptop bag and/or briefcase, as is the norm for many of them.

I assure Mr Walsh that those unfortunate enough to spend hours every day sitting in a car on gridlocked roads do not do it by choice.

If there was a workable and reliable alternative they would use it. David Birchall, Littleborough came from the chair of Oldham licensing committee, Norman Briggs, who suggested the drivers should obtain overcoats to keep warm.

But who would anticipate a councillor be so ‘streetwise’ to consider the fare paying passengers? Fred Born, New Moston