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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.