WHAT a pathetic, yet sinister idea this government's plans to improve transport and get fossil fuel burning cars off the roads is, with the "Pay-as-you-go" plans.

Firstly the idea is to get less pollution, which will reduce the effects on climate change, but this new plan means those who buy a small engined car will have to pay the same as those with "gas-guzzling" polluting, monsters. So that's no financial incentive to think small, use less and thus cut Co2 emissions.

Secondly this will just push traffic off the high-priced roads on to side roads, clogging them up.

Thirdly, and this is the sinister part, "they" will know every journey we make, every stop we take, and along with ID cards will bring to life the sinister Big Brother of the novel "1984", (that's not the big brother of the crass TV programme) where every aspect of our lives is controlled by "them."

What of plans for Blackburn and Darwen? Well we are getting more out of town shopping, thus more car use. Then there is the stupid plan to widen the M65. It will bring more jobs to the area, it is said, but the cost must mean more traffic coming into the area. Jack Straw MP welcomes this and yet is also going to be a Canute holding back the tide of vehicles going to such as Ewood Park.

When are Whitehall going to be honest and say if we do not act now, then our green and lush country could become like the scrublands of North Africa or the frozen wastes of Alaska? (The Pentagon, trade unions, big businesses and scientists all agree there must be prompt action, not debate).

We need "pay as you go" being cheap affordable fares on a proper, comfortable public transport system.

GRAHAM A CARTER, Secretary of East Lancashire Green Party, Kingsway, Lower Darwen.