HORSEPOWER could well be overtaken by pedal-power if Bolton Town Hall chiefs get their way.

The strategy for all new local road schemes to be "cycle-friendly" before they are approved has to be seen as a step towards a healthier and much less polluted town. Although the decision might be questioned by many car drivers, especially in view of the fact that only a tiny fraction of the journeys to work are by bicycle, it represents a positive approach to coping with the escalating problem of traffic congestion.

With the number of cars on Britain's roads forecast to soar as we move into the next century, steps have to be taken now to prevent what many people believe could become the ultimate nightmare traffic scenario.

We've almost eliminated those smoking chimneys. So the brakes have to be applied to the number of exhausts belching fumes - especially as most cars rarely seem to carry more than one person. Add a ban on smoking in public places and the air will eventually almost be good enough to breathe.

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