Without having the evidence to hand, I would agree that the real cost of motoring has come down in the last 10 years.

Cars are cheaper now in real terms than they have ever been. Fuel is there or thereabouts, if not cheaper. Road tax is probably not far beyond inflation.

Yet we now have a far higher number of cars on the roads than 10 years ago, and no effective deterrent in place compared to 10 years ago.

Hence why personal car taxation (however it is done) needs to be increased to ease congestion, as well as converting us all into more eco-aware people. It'll do us all good.

It's the very short journeys that are the worst. Cold engine, urban driving, HIGH mpg, more unnecessary congestion. A high proportion of the very short journeys could be done by other means. Think about it.

OK - I have a cunning plan - everyone who thinks fuel is too expensive and taxed to death - stop using it


erm - what do you mean you have no alternative - I thought you said it was unreasonably expensive, so using your logic, there are cheaper ways to travel

Oh - I see - there are no cheaper ways to travel - obvoiusly because the govt are taxing the bus companies to death as well - how about bicycles/walking? too much effort?

riiiiight - now I get the picture