SIR - As big cities nationwide leap greedily onto the congestion-charge bandwagon, a wonderful opportunity exists for Bradford to "think outside the cashbox".
In its present state, nobody really wants to go into Bradford. Let's face it, a perpetual demolition site and a gaggle of pound shops will never attract big spenders.
So why not introduce a "reverse congestion charge"? Convert that demolition site into a massive free car-park, then use the new satellite tracking technology to pay every incoming driver 10p per inward mile travelled (providing they stay at least two hours inside the zone).
What an attraction for shoppers! What an attraction for business! And what a cunning way to seduce the high-spending people and companies away from Leeds, Manchester and other successful, but access-charging, cities.
If that £60m windfall from the Yeadon airport sale and all the flagrantly-wasted "regeneration" cash were put behind this scheme, we could soon see a real resurrection in Bradford's fortunes. And, once local business recovers and starts to pay more taxes, this "reverse charges" scheme could be self-financing for ever.
Sorry folks, I've just realised that's far too original an idea for Bradford Council. So it's back to the trusty old Begging-Bowl Handbook, guys.
Graham Hoyle, Kirkbourne Grove, Baildon
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