IT is now high time for someone to stand up and be counted on behalf of the badly-done-to motorist.

I have spoken to friends and to a number of people whom I work with, and am pleased to say that there are many out there with similar views to my own. Please allow me to elaborate.

1. The general state of decay and lack of repair to many roads in and around Lancaster and Morecambe is appalling. There are potholes everywhere and in some cases the areas which have been repaired are crumbling.

This brings up a valid question. Government figures state that money collected in road tax annually in the UK is in the region of £22 billion, of which some 10 per cent (£2.2 billion) is used for road repairs and building. What happens to the other £19 billion?

2. Why is it that since the introduction of various new sets of traffic lights, congestion has got worse? It is obvious that things have been changed to actually create hold-ups and jams in some cases - it really doesn't matter what the official line of explanation is, any fool can see the situation.

3. Bus lanes. Why is it that taxis, minibuses, milk floats and the occasional car use them? They are for buses and bicycles only - so hands up anyone who has heard of anyone being prosecuted for illegal use of a bus lane. Me neither!

4. The latest idiotic idea of congestion charging is obscene. If it works in London other authorities will adopt it but this is totally out of order. We already pay road tax and exorbitant car parking fees, why should we be asked to pay again? We should refuse to pay.

There are 30 million vehicle users in the UK and that is a big voice. We should use that voice.

5. Let's suppose that everyone who drives stops using their vehicle for one year (this is what Transport 2000 and other pressure groups have suggested). The lost income to the Government would be unbelievable - £22 billion in road tax, millions each week in VAT on fuel, no VAT collected for the sale of vehicle parts, tyres and so on and no income from parking fees for a start. The Government quite simply could not replace it.

So let's face the facts, this country needs the motorist and it is time to stop treating him (or her) like a bad person. And it is time we motorists stood up and said we are not going to put up with victimisation any longer.

Ken Partridge, Olive Road, Skerton.