I REFER to the letter from Peter Stanhope (March 16). I am not a pedal pusher; I drive a car and I will have to pay more to travel in future. However, I do not agree that the increase in fuel tax is 'a farce and a fraud.'

The fact is that if the Government did not raise revenue by this route direct taxes would have to rise in order to pay for essential services as well as environmental benefits.

It is invalid to compare the fuel price in the energy wasting USA because we live in a crowded island which has a serious and growing problem of traffic congestion to address.

Despite fuel price increases we still have the ridiculous and widespread practice of carrying foods and other goods long distances around the country when they should be produced and consumed locally. Motorways and other road links have encouraged this practice.

The increase in fuel prices does make sense, it increases tax revenue, curbs the incessant growth in road transport, slows the increase in air pollution and the annual carnage from accidents on the roads.

Mr Stanhope may not be aware that a high speed rail link is proposed down the spine of Florida in anticipation of problems due to population and road vehicle growth.

He should not be surprised where the multi-million dollars will be raised...taxation on road transport.

David Randon,

Blue Slates Close,

Wheldrake,

York.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.