Editor,

Excellent and timely article ("Freezing Shanghai needs central heating," December 13). The traffic flow measures used in Hong Kong are sorely needed in Shanghai. For example, in Hong Kong a vehicle is not permitted to change lanes once inside a road tunnel. This should be adopted in Shanghai to reduce the possibility of accidents and therefore improve traffic flow.

Illegal parking is also a problem. This can only be solved by two measures. The erection of enough high rise public parking spaces to encourage off street parking and the imposition of fines for illegal parking on pedestrian sidewalks and pavements.

Some urban planning considerations are needed. When a new popular restaurant or a hotel is being built, consideration should be given to the allocation of space for off street parking for those who attend these establishments.

Simon, via e-mail

(China Daily 12/26/2005 page4)