We could certainly learn much from what’s happening in other countries, such as the Brazilian city of Curitiba, with almost two million folk, in the southern state of Parana.

Some 20 years ago it revolutionised its public transport, though they are still adapting it to make sure that it meets new challenges.

It had grown in a very similar way to most large cities, with a road system designed to allow cars access throughout, and particularly to the shops. There was even talk of a subway system for public transport, until a remarkable town planner took over.

He banned cars from many central areas, built access roads for public transport and struck a deal with the private bus companies – they would provide the buses and he would improve the roads for them, and introduce a new form of bus stop. The latter was glass clad, longer than a bendy bus, raised off the ground to allow unimpeded access through many doors, and also provided the ticket.

The result was that bus frequency was one every two minutes, and only one minute at peak times, while the drivers just had to drive on dedicated routes without other traffic and with the right of way. The bus company was paid by the mile driven, not the number of passengers, and there was only one daily fare for the whole city.

Because bus use rose to over 85 per cent of all travel, from less than a fifth it was possible to re-organise the city land use so there were far more parks for the local people, and certainly less pollution and CO2 in the urban atmosphere.

Incidentally they also recycle over 70 per cent of their waste as most citizens trade four pounds of waste for one pound of edible vegetables.

Our MPs need to travel - they have much to learn from other countries..