Some people think that there are now too many cars on the roads, and that they are spoiling our towns and cities. Do you agree or disagree?

The number of private vehicles on urban roads has grown dramatically in recent decades, and many people argue that this growth is actively damaging the character and liveability of towns and cities. I fully agree with this view. Traffic congestion, deteriorating air quality, and the erosion of public space together make a compelling case that car dependency has reached a point where it is doing more harm than good.

The most immediate consequence of excessive car use is chronic traffic congestion, which undermines urban efficiency and quality of life. When road networks become saturated with private vehicles, commuters lose hours each week in gridlock, businesses face delays in the movement of goods, and emergency services struggle to reach those in need. Cities such as Bangkok and Jakarta regularly rank among the world's most congested, with drivers losing over 60 hours per year to traffic delays according to transport data. This is not simply an inconvenience — it represents a significant drain on economic productivity and inflicts measurable psychological stress on residents.

Beyond congestion, the dominance of cars in urban areas causes serious environmental and social harm. Vehicle exhaust emissions are a leading source of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, both of which are linked to respiratory disease, cardiovascular illness, and premature death, particularly among children and the elderly. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution kills over seven million people annually, with urban traffic being a major contributor. Equally damaging is the effect on the urban environment itself. Historic town centres designed for pedestrians have been redesigned around car infrastructure — ring roads, car parks, and traffic signals — stripping them of the architectural character and walkable spaces that make cities worth living in.

In conclusion, I firmly agree that the proliferation of private cars is spoiling towns and cities by generating congestion, degrading air quality, and eroding the public spaces that define urban life. Reducing car dependency through investment in public transport and urban design is not merely desirable — it is increasingly urgent.