The letters page of one's local newspaper can provide a source of much inspiration to its readers.

A recent correspondent made a remarkable discovery. She couldn't help noticing that there appeared to be a correlation between rush hour traffic and school holidays. She noted that while school holidays are in force, traffic levels are significantly lower and journey times reduced. Could the fact that many children are ferried to and from school in cars be causing this effect?

A bold claim, I think you'll agree. I mean, who would have thought that an ever-increasing number of people carriers and Range Rovers (to cite a couple of typical examples) would make any difference to the traffic levels? For the past 20-odd years, the rest of us dunderheads have been scratching our respective heads, failing to see this subtle relationship between school term times and levels of traffic chaos.

It's good to know that I am sharing my town with such astute people who have their finger on the pulse of the latest issues in our society.

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