The case for diesel cars

Sir, – I have become part of the most dangerous people in the UK – I use a diesel car.

Several cars ago I moved to diesel as they seemed to be best for the environment.

I get over 20% better mileage than the petrol version, lower CO2 so better for greenhouse gas emissions, and lower car tax.

Why should I buy an electric car to replace it when it is not suitable for my needs such as towing and long-distance travelling?

Plus, I’m not sure what the health and safety people will think of a power cable dangling out of a tenement and crossing the foot path so I could charge this electric car.

Has there been a real study to find out how much pollution diesel cars contribute in the overall total?

I’ll be surprised if it’s as high as 5%.

The main diesel users are the trains, coaches, delivery lorries and trucks and airplanes.

If we are serious about reducing pollution, let’s reduce the usage of these methods of transport.

People should be restricted to one return flight or long train journey a year, given less choice of clothes and food, so there are fewer delivery trucks polluting the environment.

Also, if people lived and worked within a limited radius there would be less travelling time and thus less pollution.

However, I think there would be flying pigs and blue snow before people accepted this. Gordon Fotheringham. Woodland Way, Kingoodie.

If you keep delivering the message that race, sex, religion etc. are important factors when selecting a person, don’t complain when people believe you. I don’t care about a candidate’s identity – I care about their character, qualities, values and policies