Significant factor

He is, however, less than fair to suggest they are part of an anti-working class, neo-liberal agenda.

There are two main reason for considering such charges.

The first is the need to reduce traffic congestion.

The congestion charge has proved surprisingly popular with many Londoners.

Of course, London is a much larger city than Oxford, and it has been more severely polluted over a larger area for a longer time.

Many Londoners now recognise the need to restrict traffic in the city centre if it is to remain habitable.

Even if Oxford has not reached that point yet, it is likely that other larger cities will need similarly to restrict traffic for similar reasons.

The second, even more important, reason is global warming. Global warming is not a political policy - it is an environmental process that will continue inexorably unless we learn to reduce our reliance on fossil fuel.

Of course, traffic is not the only, or even the largest, contributor to global warming, but it is a very significant factor.

Unless we accept relatively modest constraints on our motoring habits in the next few years, global warming will ensure that our grandchildren are faced with much more severe constraints.

I entirely agree that the burden of constraints needs to be shared more equitably, but to oppose all constraints, as Mr Craft appears to do, is ignorant and irresponsible and will store up much more serious problems for our grandchildren.

CHRIS ROBINS (Councillor) Foxdown Close Kidlington