Talking point

Your views

I just wanted to write in support of your current efforts to charge SUV/4x4 vehicles in London.

For many years I have been very concerned about the explosive growth of these vehicles and do not understand why so many are used in London.

I suspect many never even go outside of London into the difficult terrain for which they are designed.

Of major concern, obviously, is the impact on the environment everywhere they are used.

I wish you luck with your efforts to set up a system through which these vehicles can be taxed - or even banned!
J Powell

I would love to see changes regarding 4x4 vehicles in London.

They waste petrol, drive too fast, rev up and serve no other purpose than being a status symbol.

I live in west Kensington, which is covered in these cars.

The way they speed and drive makes my life difficult when cycling to work in Ealing - not to mention the lives of young children who walk around in areas with speed bumps that have no effect on 4x4s.
R Chuter

I would like to take issue with your comments over 4x4s.

I own a Nissan Terrano, one of the mid-sized 4x4s on the road. I already pay through the nose on so called 'road' tax and am subject to daily robbery for fuel. I think of myself as a responsible driver and own my 4x4 not because I want to bully other drivers and not to go 'off-road' in it, but because I also own a caravan. In order to safely tow that caravan, I need a large vehicle and in order to tow the caravan onto some sites I need four-wheel drive. Do you suggest that I purchase a third car for my household, then tax it and insure it just so that I avoid taking my 4x4 into towns?

Maybe if I bought a bike, I could tow my caravan with that.
R Parnham

We just want to express our full support for the Mayor's intention of raising the congestion charge on highly polluting vehicles. In Ealing, where we live, they are a menace on the roads and clog the streets.

There needs to be a strong economic stimulus to deter people from buying and using these vehicles.
J Green and B de la Motte

Your views

During the past few years, Thames Water has filled in six reservoirs. Five of these now have houses built on them, creating more demand for water. Yet Thames Water keeps on telling us, the customers, that its reservoirs are half empty. Surely if the company had kept these, there would be six more half empty reservoirs, which equates to three full ones. Selling off these sites is like selling off the family silver. It is very short-sighted.
A Edwards

I am afraid I do not think it is fair that The Londoner keeps attacking Thames Water.

As most people know, all the water companies took over from the government only a few years ago.

During 50 years of government management of the water boards, virtually no maintenance was carried out. Water companies have had to endure severe workloads to correct this negligence ever since.

It may just be that Thames Water inherited the worst underground pipe work from the government. You do not know and nor do I, but be fair.
P Butler

I am astounded to read in The Londoner (August 2006) that Thames Water has made so much profit in the last trading year.

I have been paying increased water bills each year and when the rise for 2006/7 came through the door at the same time as it announced a hosepipe ban, I was disgusted. I felt like refusing to pay at all.

I agree with Mayor Ken Livingstone and Ofwat that Thames Water should fix the pipes (no excuses), reduce the profit and get our water back on tap.
A Dankworth

Your views

With regard to the letter 'Are plastic bags really that fantastic?' (Talking Point, August) I would like to question why plastic bags are produced in the first place.

Years ago we didn't have plastic bags.

We would buy brown paper carrier bags for three pence if we had forgotten to take our own shopping bag to the shops.

These bags were quite strong and could be used more than once - and they were biodegradable.

Now is the time to bring them back in all the shops.

This would help the environment and we would not see unsightly plastic bags littering the streets and countryside.

All plastic wrappings on food, magazines, etc, are also unnecessary.
J Luis