Cars the only option for many
The majority of those who agree with Richard Styles about car ownership (Letters, March 31) fall into two main categories.
Firstly, green obsessives whose hatred of fossil fuels is so intense that they would prefer that we were back in the caves, rather than embrace the modern world made possible by their use. In common with all other puritan fanatics, they hate the idea of people actually enjoying themselves, instead of wearing hair shirts and metaphorically indulging in self-flagellation in support of their monomaniacal cause.
They are joined in their opposition to cars by the middle class metropolitan elitists, who live in areas such as north London, where they are served by trains, both overground, and underground, an extensive, and regular bus network, and access to taxis at the drop of a hat. One friend who lives in St John’s
Wood finds it impossible to relate to those who live in small rural villages, whose cars are the only way they can reach beyond their immediate neighbourhood.
In the past people lived and worked within a very short distance from their homes, with many never venturing more than a few miles throughout their lives.
The ubiquitous use of cars has liberated the ordinary person, making it possible to commute for work, and to enjoy a richer, fuller life. This is of course anathema to those who dislike the idea of the working class being liberated from dependence on what they in their bounty may decide to provide in terms of public transport.
There are unquestionably downsides to the use of cars, but, as one who for six years was a volunteer driver, taking old ladies to shops, clinics, etc. I am only too well aware of the limitations we would endure if we tried to abandon private transport. Walking and bike riding is acceptable for the physically fit, but only for relatively short distances, while the cost of providing a really effective bus service would be prohibitive.
There is no easy answer, although using our domestic energy supplies would certainly help. Returning to the transport methods used in past centuries would be unfeasible, so car ownership is the only reasonable alternative for those living outside well served urban areas. Colin Bullen