Charging would not work

I read with great interest in the columns of the Shropshire Star the debate and discussion on the reason why Shrewsbury, a small country town, needs to have a congestion charge.

Here are some facts from a person who has to work in the London congestion area at least once a week.

Unlike Shrewsbury, the congestion area of London has an integrated public transport service, the underground network, cabs you can hail on the street and numerous bus services that cross the area in all directions. What has Shrewsbury got? No tube; you try getting a cab at nine in the morning; and no through bus routes - plus a council that is greedy for stealth taxes.

But what about the other consequence, the untold story of London? The serious congestion on the ring road, the parking issues, the rise in cost of living within the area, the empty offices and, for me the most concerning issue, the office I visit is to close due to the congestion charge, resulting in the loss of more than 40. jobs. For no other reason than the congestion charge.

So, councillors who are there allegedly to represent the views of the people, before jumping make sure you have the support of the people you represent. Make sure you have an infrastructure to cope. Make sure you make your constituents aware of the problems that will come with congestion charges. You can always buy the buses Mr Livingstone has to sell because they don't work within the city.

Barrie Davies, Shrewsbury