THE recent decision to widen large stretches of the motorway network will be costly both in terms of the Treasury and the environment.

Furthermore, it will cause yet more disruption to roads already nearing gridlock. I believe there is a cheaper and more sensible alternative.

Before the tree-huggers get excited, I am not promoting the cause of public transport. No bus or train service, however efficient, can collect me from my door, deliver me to my destination without stopping and allow me to enjoy my collection of CDs or a match commentary.

No, I believe that every driver when renewing his or her road excise duty should be compelled to watch an instructional video on how to use the appropriate motorway lane.

There is out there a committed band of central reservation cuddlers who, perhaps through an innate fear of inside lane subsidence, immediately gravitate to the furthest available right-hand lane.

Upon close inspection, they are usually found to be advanced in years. Cotton wool-like clouds emanate from their heads, the men pondering the pruning of their best begonias, the ladies considering the merits of the Harris tweed skirt in the Selfridges sale. All blissfully unaware of the carnage they create in their wake.

The video would also be made available to drivers of lorries fitted with 56mph speed limiters. The decision of two drivers to test the relative accuracy of these instruments can have catastrophic consequences.

Regular users of the A1 will recall the frustration of sitting motionless at Wetherby while duelling juggernauts finally complete their overtaking manoeuvre north of the Tyne Bridge.

The police would then be given the powers to stop drivers guilty of lane abuse. They would have the legal scope to impound the vehicle indefinitely, thus confining their drivers to enjoying their prize gardens or shopping sprees with no disruption to anybody else.

A cheap and sensible solution. In the immortal words of the Chancellor "I commend it to the House!"

NEIL YATES, Wharf Street, Rishton.