IT concerns me that we appear to be becoming a society that relies mainly on the stick to function, rather than the carrot.

I have just read that it costs Bolton Council more than two-and-a-half million pounds in one year to collect dumped waste.

Why then are we not encouraging people, by investing some of that money in providing small, financial incentives for them to do the right thing, instead of discouraging them?

Central government now appears to want to force people back on to the minor roads by charging them more to travel on the major roads that were designed to clear the minor roads in the first place.

Since the majority of public transport is financed by the workforce of the country, what would happen if that workforce paid for the transport system in advance through increased income tax?

Many would leave their cars at home and go on the free transport. There would be no fares to collect, and no ticket inspectors. Bus journey times would be cut. Those who still wished to go by car would be paying more, but for the privilege of using a less congested road.

It would also be a step towards reducing greenhouse gases. Surely, as a human race, we are more likely to respond to encouragement in the right direction, rather than force?

Roy Caswell

Beverley Road

Bolton