From Brian Villette.
IT is always interesting to read letters by people like Mrs Lightbody moaning about 4x4s. One of her points is that a 4×4 is a gas-guzzler.

Maybe I could point out to her that, probably way before her time, there were several vehicles like the Morris Oxford Estate and the Austin Cambridge Countryman in the 1950s and 1960s powered by around 1600cc engines that only managed 28 miles per gallon while a current Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 diesel today manages 35 mpg and is far more eco-friendly.

There were also only marginal differences in length or width. So I suggest that if you put bigger wheels on the Morris or Austin there would be little difference in the size — and nobody complained in the 1960s. Take away the titles 4×4 and people-carrier, put on smaller wheels and call them estates, and nobody would be complaining.

As for Mrs Lightbody’s moans about the 4×4 blocking her way, has she never considered the fact that it’s not the car but the driver at fault?

As a careful 4×4 owner and parker, I’m amazed at the number of idiots with small cars who can’t park and how many times I struggle to get in my vehicle.

Maybe she should consider campaigning for a more severe driving test that concentrates on parking and reversing.
31 Victoria Court,
Georgetown,
St Saviour.