TEESSIDE Green Party's contribution to the debate about the merits of an East Middlesbrough bypass are well-intentioned if nave.

It would be great if drivers would, as the party's spokesman puts it, "played their part", but we know that will not happen. The only way commuters will be parted from the cocooned privacy of their vehicles, for which they have paid a lot of money, is unbearable congestion or financial incentives.

Hoping that motorists will embrace with joy the concept of car-sharing is unrealistic. London-style congestion charging is perhaps the only financial penalty that would force drivers to do this.

The light rail system proposal, supported by Redcar and Cleveland Council and the Greens, is superficially attractive. It would make use of part of the existing Esk Valley line, sorely in need of investment, as well re-using the trackbed of the old Guisborough branch line. A large park-and-ride junction at Great Ayton could attract many commuters from that growing village and the surrounding communities which probably make up a large part of the folk clogging up Marton Road.

The snag is the cost and whether it makes sense to create a light rail system which, in effect, would be one line. If there was a realistic prospect of it being part of a Tyneside-style Metro system, it would perhaps makes greater sense.

It leaves one realistic option - a new road. Road-building, experience tells us, it not always the best solution to problems of congestion because of the environmental impact. But in this instance it represents the only solution.