London lesson on road tolls

Comments by Ken Livingstone, the London mayor, on congestion charging (your report, 17 February) raises one of the reasons why the neighbouring local authorities of Midlothian, West Lothian and Fife are objecting to Edinburgh’s plans so strongly.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s intention to use finances raised from the tolls to upgrade the public transport infrastructure seems a hollow promise after the first year of London and Mr Livingstone’s experience.

The fact that some of this money has been promised to the neighbouring authorities to upgrade their transport links would probably be overruled if funds proved insufficient to fund the tram project that Edinburgh’s own council is eagerly awaiting. It may be a case of all stick and no carrot to encourage people to take to public transport.

If the planned system is implemented, and Mr Livingstone’s worst fears are realised, even more full buses may go past me at the last stop inside the outer congestion zone before one with space turns up to take me home to West Lothian.

STEPHEN GLENN

Glenmore, Whitburn

West Lothian