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The Herald Scotland
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Want to reduce the campervan menace? Why not enforce the legislation?
I write as a Lowlander who has enjoyed many holidays up north, most recently about this time last year. Staying in a cottage near Gairloch, we observed a good number of sports cars and campervans which were "doing the NC500" and most of the locals we spoke to were less than positive about the benefits of its promotion in recent years. I feel fortunate to have discovered the route long before it was promoted, memorably cycling it just over 25 years ago. Virtually empty single-track roads on a bike are a joy. Should they be replaced by highways able to accommodate the massive campervans we see on our roads today? Introducing a tax to fund improvements and, perhaps dampen demand in the short term, seems perfectly legitimate. Other measures could consider limiting the number or size of such vehicles on some roads, by means of permits for example, although this would entail additional bureaucracy. But enforcement of existing legislation on speeding, overnight stops and waste disposal should be a priority. What is most important to my mind is that greater account needs to be taken of local opinion. Surely solutions can be found to enable visitors to enjoy a wonderful experience while ensuring local communities can thrive. David Bruce, Troon. Read more letters • Watching from our rented accommodation in Scourie in the north-west Highlands, the force of Alan Simpson's argument about the prevalence of motor caravans became clear. I would estimate that at least one-third of the vehicles passing is some species of travelling tent, and that's not including the ones occupying lay-bys. The stories from local people of rubbish (and worse) being dumped are infuriating, and whose heart has not sunk at the sight of one of these ugly vehicles ahead of them on a single-track road, waddling along like a pregnant sow, indifferent to other drivers? Bring in a levy by all means, and make it high enough to make economic sense, but perhaps find a way of redeeming some of the cost in exchange for evidence of use of local shops and other services. Brian Chrystal, Edinburgh. • I refer to, and agree with much of, Alan Simpson's article on the NC500; a tourist tax would generate a fund to improve roads, services and regulation around the route. However, we need to decide who the tourists are: as a taxpayer in Scotland am I paying a share of the existing costs already? Allan McDougall, Neilston. Tobacco ban is wrong I wish to express serious concern that the Scottish Parliament has unanimously consented to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will ban tobacco products for anyone born after January 1, 2009 ("MSPs vote to ban tobacco for young", The Herald, May 30). Quite apart from the questionable democratic legitimacy of such a consensus, this superficially attractive policy represents a disproportionate and dangerous infringement of the civil liberty of adults. While the health risks of tobacco use cannot be denied, and while adults as well as children should continue to be informed about such risks, the Government should not be removing freedom of choice in perpetuity. It is important to realise that the legislation is a form of Prohibition, one which will criminalise not just the chain-smoker but even the occasional user of pipes, cigarettes or cigars. It will lead to absurd, impractical situations such as a 50-year-old person being charged while their 51-year-old partner is let off. Consumption law in Scotland will also become grossly inconsistent, with alcohol and mind-bending drugs being permitted while tobacco, which has no disinhibiting effects, is prohibited. Moreover, it will divert precious police resources away from tackling real crime, including the violent crime which sometimes attends the consumption of drink and drugs. It would be wiser, therefore, to reject this Tory-inspired bill and continue along the current path of education and reasonable regulation. If it is felt that a major political statement on the issue cannot now be avoided, simply raising the age for tobacco purchase to 21 would be much more sensible. (Dr) Alistair Duff, Cumbernauld. Anyone born after January 1, 2009 will be banned from buying tobacco products (Image: Getty) Screen test for Glasgow's Subway For me, the jury is still out on the comfort of the new Glasgow Subway trains except in the matter of the lack of on-train announcements. There are screens on all the coaches, which cycle adverts for SPT social media, but nothing showing the coming station. Occasionally the driver will make announcements, but there's no consistency. Surely it's a very simple exercise in these high-tech trains to programme the screens with the upcoming station name,and also have recorded announcements. Maybe Gayanne Potter would be available ("Artist says voice on trains 'hers'", The Herald, May 30), and she would know how to pronounce Cessnock or Cowcaddens. Stuart Neville, Clydebank. Educating Nigel AJ Clarence (Letters, June 2) remarks on Nigel Farage's likeness to one Joe E Brown. As one of your older readers, I have always thought Mr Farage unnervingly like 1950s ventriloquist dummy, Archie Andrews, in oh so many ways. Rosemary Parker, Troon. The pundit who said too little I despair of the numerous times over the weekend that golf commentator Andrew Coltart found it necessary to inform viewers that Tiger Woods is the only man to have defended at the Memorial (Tournament). I understood that all competing champions were defending their titles. Only Tiger Woods had successfully defended. A rare instance of using too few, rather than too many, words. David Miller, Milngavie.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
It is time that campervan users are taxed off the NC500
Cross the Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver in Canada and the roads and campsites are absolutely full of them, mainly driven by overseas tourists with all the time in the world on their hands. Over there, they are very much welcomed, although there will undoubtedly be some grumbles from locals who are constantly stuck behind them, To be fair, the main road through the Rockies is pretty decent and there are plenty of places to overtake. But it is a very different situation in Scotland where campervans are treated as public enemy number one, particularly by people who live along the NC500. It is easy to understand why they are so controversial. For a start, the NC500 is not equipped to deal with campervans, particularly the famed Bealach na Ba from Lochcarron to the Applecross peninsula. It is a nerve-wracking series of hairpin bends straight up the hill and it is scary enough when you only have cars coming the other way to worry about. But despite signs at the bottom that state clearly the road is not suitable, many campervan drivers take the risk which is as stupid as it is selfish. It is not just the Bealach na Ba, though, where campervans are causing misery for locals, it is along the entire route - one which just isn't set up for such mass tourism with its sharp bends and single lanes. Glorious it may be but driving it comes with responsibility and that is where many campervan users let themselves down. To be blunt, locals have simply had enough of them and it is hard to argue against them. Read more Alan Simpson Last week, the Labour candidate for the Inverness & Nairn constituency at next year's Holyrood election proposed a tourist tax on campervans visiting the Highlands. Shaun Fraser said the roads 'cannot cope' with the huge increase in traffic in recent years. He said the move would form part of a 'fair and well–designed' visitor levy to help maintain roads and fund public services stretched by surging tourist numbers. The Highlands have seen a dramatic increase in motorhome tourism in recent years, with Highland Council estimating that nearly 36,000 campervans toured the region in 2022 alone. That has led to a surge in complaints about congestion, illegal overnight parking, and waste being dumped. Residents on the NC500 route have reported damaged verges, blocked passing places and overfilled bins during peak season. Highland Council estimates a 5% levy on overnight accommodation could raise £10 million a year — with that figure rising further if a charge on campervans is included. The council held a four–month public consultation on its draft scheme earlier this year and is now considering the feedback ahead of a full council vote. If approved, the levy could come into force by winter 2026 - the earliest permitted under legislation passed by Holyrood last year. That law, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, gives local authorities the power to impose a charge on overnight tourist stays and spend the revenue on services that support tourism. While the levy must be used to fund tourism–related improvements, critics have warned it must not be used to replace core funding lost through years of cuts. Scottish Labour has long supported the introduction of a visitor levy and backed the legislation at Holyrood. The party says councils should be empowered to design their own schemes and use the money to improve facilities for both residents and visitors. However, it was recently criticised by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who described it as a tax on 'ordinary working people'. Mr Fraser said: 'Initiatives such as the North Coast 500 have transformed the dynamics of Highland tourism, with a huge rise in campervans using rural single–track Highland roads. "Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing.' "Highland communities and local services must benefit from tourism. I support a fair and well–designed visitor levy and sensible measures to manage the impact of campervans. 'I would be open to looking at options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads. I think that this should be considered.' While this may sound draconian, it is certainly well worth considering. Anyone who has driven the NC500, or at least parts of it, particularly in Wester Ross and Sutherland, can see the road is not suitable for such a vast amount of campervans. And with the rise of social media sites such as Instagram fuelling people's desires to get the best pics at beauty spots that regularly feature then the situation is not going to get any better. Any revenue raised that pays for better facilities and road improvements would be welcomed by pretty much everyone. For those put off by the levy, then they probably weren't the type to go and act responsibly anyway. Like everything else, it is not the campervans fault entirely, but the people who drive them and their passengers. They are to blame for the state of the place and there is absolutely no excuse for behaving like savages just because the area is beautiful but remote. They would be the first ones to complain if folk from the Highlands travelled down to their local park, left litter and human waste lying about and parked up on a path for days. Obviously, the good folk of the Highlands wouldn't dream of doing such a thing so why do people from urban areas think it's fair game? It is a good idea to tax them, in my opinion, in fact it should be extremely expensive so that it deters many people. Maybe training courses should also be mandatory, educating people on the right way to drive and behave generally when travelling on rural roads. Tourism is the main economic driver of the Highlands but it is in severe danger of becoming over-visited. It is no longer just a summer thing, but now lasts throughout the year thanks to initiatives such as the NC500. But there is a tipping point and we are probably nearly there already as many of the remotest areas become swamped and can no longer cope. Visitors all have a responsibility when they are on holiday and anything that can deter the irresponsible ones should be welcomed - by everyone.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Nation's Well-Being Depends on a Healthy Two-Party System
Our nations core political well-being depends on the existence of a healthy two-party system. One year ago, I joined with former Sens. Alan Simpson and William Cohen, along with 34 other distinguished former Republican elected officials, to launch Our Republican Legacy (ORL) to serve as the resistance to the new populist direction taken by the GOP. We may be Republicans in exile, but we will not be silenced. Now, because the early days of President Trumps second term are as bad as we feared and getting worse, we are taking ORL from a messaging organization to a mobilizing one, and I am asking you to join us. ORLs first initiative is utilizing our existing framework to build a nationwide, grassroots organization. We are creating a 50-state national committee of volunteer activists who embrace our principles and want a constructive, common-sense approach to solving the many issues facing our country. Each state organization will recruit members, engage local and state media, and be active and visible within their respective Republican party at all levels. Our second initiative is to ramp up our visibility with frequent messaging across all platforms on the critical issues we face. Our messaging and the positions we adopt will be grounded in our principles and guided by the real needs of the people and businesses across this great country. In our announcement last year, we proposed a framework based on five foundational principles - Unity, the Constitution, Fiscal Responsibility, Free Enterprise, and Peace through Strength - to reestablish traditional, conservative Republican values to meet the many challenges facing our nation. On , we believe in preserving our union and democracy by uniting - not dividing - Americans. We encourage free debate and civil discourse to agree by majority rule on common-sense solutions to the problems we face. With respect to our lauded , we support and will defend the rule of law, including individual freedoms and liberties. We oppose circumventing the rule of law by exceeding legal executive authority and ignoring lawful court orders. We support the independence and impartiality of the Department of Justice and law enforcement. We oppose using government institutions for retribution against political opponents, settling grievances against individuals or corporations or law firms with different points of view, and ignoring due process for everyone. We support to protect and defend the full faith and credit of the United States government for future generations. We oppose profligate spending. While protecting programs like Social Security and Medicare, we pledge to work to reduce annual deficits and lower the national debt over time to encourage greater private sector investment in our economy and growth with price stability. We will defend the role of the U.S. dollar as the worlds reserve currency. We believe in and a globally competitive economy based on market principles with sound regulation, full transparency and disclosure, and a clear legal framework. We oppose Trumps senseless, destructive tariffs, which are regressive taxes that raise prices, lead to inflation, invite recession, and unleash unnecessary trade wars that no one wins. Instead of protectionist barriers and raising tariffs, we pledge to work strategically to lower tariffs to encourage trade and investment here as a means to grow our economy and create more opportunities for everyone. Finally, we support by maintaining a strong national defense. We wholeheartedly support the U.S. military and respect all of our veterans, including all that our country has promised them in return for their service to our nation. We oppose any retreat into isolationism and a position of global weakness by abandoning our allies and strategic alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). We support and will fully defend Ukraine and Israel against all acts of aggression by our common enemies, such as Russia, Iran, and their allies. For everyone who is tired of being misled by lies and watching the very destruction of our system of government, we invite you to join our resistance of real Republicans to restore a viable, two-party political system. Lets rise to this essential fight by organizing and speaking up for our vision of a truly democratic nation based on fundamental principles - our "shining city on the hill" to channel President Reagan - to achieve better outcomes for our nation and all of our citizens. John Danforth is a former Republican U.S. senator from Missouri who also served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
The Herald Scotland
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
The new £144m electric rail line without enough trains
Recently. I've been pondering another big question, namely what can you buy for £144 million? A couple of decent midfielders for an English Premier League team would be one and I suppose you could conceivably get quite a large swathe of Perthshire too and still have a bit of change left over. However, it transpires that what you cannot guarantee with that sort of money is a better rail service. This week will see the re-opening of the line between Glasgow and East Kilbride reopen after being shut for since January. The electrification of the line is part of the Scottish Government's plans to decarbonise Scotland's rail passenger services by 2035. Since January, the route has been transformed with full electrification of the route, new stations at Hairmyres and East Kilbride. The work has also improved access at Giffnock, with a new accessible footbridge and a new station entrance at Clarkston. The existing track has also been lowered near Busby, Clarkston and Giffnock stations so that overhead line equipment can be accommodated under some bridges. As a result of work on the track there have been no trains on the line since January 25. So this week, commuters, and there are a considerable number along the route, could realistically expect to see an increased service. Alan Simpson: Giving CalMac contract is right - now give them better ships Alan Simpson: Forcing landowners to sell to locals is not the best solution Alan Simpson: Any port in a storm as ministers look to buy Ardrossan One of the promises made at the start of the work was that a double track would allow services to be increased from two every hour to four. In the evenings, after 7pm, the service is reduced to just one an hour which is unacceptable for a line that serves one of Scotland's largest towns with a population of around 75,000. It also passes through the densely populated suburbs of Glasgow on the way so the service was not really fit for purpose given the numbers of potential passengers. So, I'm sure there would be an air of anticipation from regulars who have been forced to get the bus since January when the new timetables were issued. Unfortunately they would have been in for a nasty surprise as the timetable appears to be exactly the same as it was before the line was closed. Which does rather beg the question - what was the point? After spending £144milllion on an upgrade then passengers have a right to feel a little short-changed by having to suffer the same poor service, in the same old trains than before. At least you would hope the trains will have all been hoovered in the interim. Last week it was revealed that cost has risen to almost £144 million. The new figure was presented in a letter to Richard Leonard, convener of Holyrood's public audit committee by Alyson Stafford, director general of the Scottish Exchequer, the civil servant responsible for the Scottish Budget including tax, spending and measuring performance. The original estimate for the work said it would cost between £100m and £120m. The figure was later revised to £139.8m. Ms Stafford said: 'The Original Business Case (OBC) outlined that total project cost was estimated to be £100m to £120m and that it was estimated to be operational in December 2024. 'The Full Business Case (FBC) outlined that total project cost was estimated to be £139.8m and that it was estimated to be operational in December Anticipated Final Cost is now £143.7 million which is an increase to that at FBC and as previously reported.' She went on to say the additional cost was mostly due to Transport Scotland having to contribute towards the delivery of a car park at a new relocated station in Hairmyres in East Kilbride. The re-opening of the line will be welcome to the tens of thousands of people who have faced gridlock on the roads at various spells during the work. A series of road improvements took place simultaneously while the track was electrified. The result was apparently total chaos which has a serious side as ambulances were struggling to access Hairmyres hospital at one point because of the traffic. But the fact that there is no change to the timetable will be scant consolation to the passengers. Electric trains are not due to be operational until December while the works are completely finished. Hopefully then a new timetable will be introduced and the whole point of the works will become clear. However, no new electric trains have been ordered by Scotrail so, presumably, the service will be run by rolling stock that is currently being used on other parts of the network. This will inevitably see capacity being reduced elsewhere so that services can run on the East Kilbride line. Scotrail has already admitted it cannot guarantee that all services will be electric when the new timetable is introduced in December, which kind of begs the question what is the point? Why spend millions electrifying railway lines and then not buying new trains? But this, perhaps, sums up the current sticking plaster approach to Scotland's transport system that has been allowed to happen in recent years. Transport Scotland, of course, has form for this in the ferry network with new vessels being ordered for ports that cannot accommodate them and are not yet upgraded. Elsewhere, ferries are taken off routes to fill holes elsewhere which leaves disruption pretty much everywhere in the islands. Now, two major Glasgow commuter lines will have been electrified in recent years - to East Kilbride and also to Barrhead - but no rolling stock appears to have been ordered to run on them. Scotrail has the oldest fleet in the UK and last took delivery of 70 electric trains in 2018 when the network was in private hands, operated by Abellio. Plans were announced to purchase new suburban trains in 2022 followed by replacements for rural lines and high speed trains. Unfortunately, these have not yet materialised which shows the expensive folly that nationalisation could well become. Private firms were obliged to introduce new fleets as part of their franchise agreements but this doesn't seem to be the case in public hands. As has been shown with the ferry network, Transport Scotland and ministers have form for complacency when it comes to providing a fleet that's fit for purpose. Sadly, the rail network seems to be going that way too.
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scots fairground CLOSES after waltzer car flies off track with three children inside as carnival firm issues statement
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FAIRGROUND bosses have issued an apology after a waltzer car at a Scots carnival flew off the tracks with three children onboard. Today, the firm, Galactic Carnival Edinburgh (GCE), said it is "truly sorry" after the terrifying incident in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, on Saturday night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The carnival in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, has now been closed amid an ongoing investigation Credit: Alan Simpson 2 Screams can be overheard in terrifying footage ,captured by one the youngsters Credit: Facebook Kevin McNulty was in the car behind his three kids - aged seven, 12 and 13 - when the ride derailed at high speed and careered into the waltzer he was in. He told how his kids were "very, very lucky" not to have suffered any serious injuries during the dramatic ordeal. In footage, filmed by one of the youngsters, their terrified screams can be heard as the ride swerves off the rails and ploughs into a nearby speaker. Mr McNulty shared his experience on social media, writing: "It then smashed about the place crashing into the side off the track, thankfully there was a heavy large speaker that they collided with or they would have been through the whole thing and then the ending would have been a completely different story ( a thought I can't stop thinking about). "The shows continued to go (not the Waltzers) but place should have been shut down for a full inspection. "It was like something you see in the movies and my kids are very, very lucky that they managed to get out of this still walking." GCE said it "sincerely apologises" to the families impacted by the incident and insisted that it is "working tirelessly to assist in the ongoing investigation" into what happened. Officials have since decided to shut the event down to allow third-party investigators to take a closer look. In a statement, GCE said: "We are truly sorry for the distress caused by the incident at our event. Public safety at our events has always been, and continues to be, our top priority. "All rides at our events undergo extensive safety testing in line with government guidelines, including daily safety checks, and are also inspected by an independent third party safety inspection body (the Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme, or Adips). Watch terrifying moment cable car ride collapses at Christmas fairground in front of shocked onlookers in Mexico "This incident is now being investigated by third-party inspection bodies and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). "We have decided to close the event to allow for investigation to take place. "All tickets purchased for future dates will be refunded automatically through our ticketing agent, Skiddle. "Once again we are truly sorry for the distress this has caused." An HSE spokesperson said: "HSE is aware of the incident and is making inquiries."
