SO we now have the proposals from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority on congestion charges for the area.

Is this a collaboration for the people of the Manchester area to reduce congestion and carbon emissions? Or a masquerade for a stealth tax for motorists?

Which will come first, the proposed' charges or the proposed' investments?

I could give guess.

And what if the investments don't result in the Metrolink expansions, improved trains, more frequent and better quality bus services and park and ride and yellow bus schemes? Will the scheme be dropped and our money returned?

Will the discount scheme result in cheaper car travel for some as has happened in London?

Will the congestion charges result in reduced costs for motorists living in the Greater Manchester; reduced road fund license tax, reduced tax on insurance premiums, reduced duty of fuel?

If we, the residents and drivers of the area do not think that we will not gain, let us not tut tut or mutter our displeasure, instead let us voice our collective opinion in an organised way and say NO to these proposals. Let us take action on a day and leave our cars behind for those public transport journeys that we could make and let the system know how much it will creak. For I do not believe that there can be any accurate predictions on the amount of people who will change to use the proposed' improved alternatives.

We admire the French when they take direct action when aggrieved. Is it not time that we do the same?

WALTER BROOKS Burnley Road Bury