After reading The Issue (Oxford Mail, January 7) on the subject of petrol prices, I was rather surprised at the views taken by the parties interviewed.

There were no proposals put forward by either side on how to tackle the problem head on by improving public transport networks.

Furthermore, no proposals were tabled on how to entice commuters into car sharing schemes and the like.

Car manufacturers offering a whole new wave of cars using alterative energy sources, is surely a step in the right direction. Indeed, much publicity was recently given in the Oxford Mail to the electric Mini.

With cities like Oxford offering little comfort to the cyclist, a whole lot more needs to be done to promote cycling.

Years ago, when owning a car was a luxury, people used works buses to travel to the Motor Works at Cowley from as far as Bicester, Witney, Wantage, Wallingford and Abingdon. Additional buses were run by the AERE to get workers into the site at Harwell.

Perhaps it’s time to reconsider simular measures in areas of high employment.

In many instances public transport timetables bear little resemblance to shift times in factories.

With bus routes not encompassing trading estates and other centres of high employment the public will not be tempted out of their cars.

It’s time for planners to bring in more safe routes for cyclists which are more than painted lines on existing roads.

The Government has its part to play in guaranteeing infrastructure for cycle routes, grants for developing more cycle tracks alongside major routes, and a VAT holiday on electric vehicles designed for commuting.

Further incentives need to be introduced for charging points for electric vehicles. Overnight charging through a special meter could be facilitated and this, in turn, could be subject to subsidy to cover installation costs.

As for petrol prices, we have been stuck with political parties that show little or no imagination, when in government, on how to raise revenue by alternative means.

It is about time they came up with something new. Perhaps motorway tolls are the answer – charging those who use them for the privilege of doing so, therefore relieving the tax burden on fuel duty and not punishing the urban motorist.

Steve Plant, Thorney Leys, Witney