I sit on the transport group mentioned in your headline article of March 24, 'Congestion charging on way'.

We offer views on the subject to the borough council on behalf of a cross section of interests based in Warrington and our sole task is to tackle urban traffic congestion.

Your article and the subsequent correspondence has taken this cause down a blind alley of gloom. Congestion charging is not a preferred solution for Warrington, but the change it has brought to London has been spectacular, now even acknowledged by some of the fiercest opponents prior to its introduction.

In common with most other towns in 2005, what Warrington needs is a reduction in traffic volume, which means fewer cars on the roads at peak times.

The London experience has shown that all we need to get a substantial improvement in traffic flows is a modest 15 per cent reduction in the number of private cars travelling at peak times. That is one car in seven fewer. London made the change by congestion charging, but if people will take personal responsibility it doesn't need to be that way. For instance, if the Guardian were to run a campaign to get the people of this town to break out of the drudge of routine and find one day per week when they would use alternative means of transport we would have it cracked.

Up to now the Guardian's congestion campaign coverage has consisted of a collection of local details and self-centred whinges, with no correspondent acknowledging responsibility as being part of the problem. If you're driving in rush hour you are part of the problem. What we need is for people to think, to ask themselves what alternative to the car do I have and get out of the trap of perpetually blaming others?

It needs this change of attitude to catch on if we are to avoid gridlock.

If the readers care about the town, the socially responsible alternatives for everyone are: public transport, walking and biking, so if you're able to do so, try one. You only need to do it on just one or two days a week, and it may even do you some good.

Summer's coming, get your bike out and enjoy some freedom! How about a Guardian campaign for the people who buy your papers, to inform them, to shame them if necessary, and above all to relieve this constipated town and make it a civilised place to commute, shop and enjoy life?

Jon Wood

Birchdale Road, Appleton