Problem is not going away

There is growing concern over what is being seen as the menace of the motorhome and with good reason.

We have all seen the huge increase in the number of these – sometimes giant – vehicles on the ferry, on the roads and in the car parks.

And while most are driven by respectable law-abiding citizens there is a minority who think it is OK to act on holiday like they would never dream of doing at home.

Of most concern are those who think nothing of emptying their waste in roadside ditches or anywhere else – other than official disposal facilities. And this is a further worry with the planned closure of all the public toilets on the island next year, after a stay of execution this summer.

But there is a wider problem with the sheer number taking advantage of the fact that bringing a sixmetre motorhome over costs the same as a family car – and just double that for some of the huge beasts which prowl the narrow island roads.

Of course Arran is not alone in facing problems with motorhomes, with neighbouring Cumbrae finding its quiet island invaded as never before.

So what is the solution? Certainly the move to improve ‘no overnight parking’ signage is to be welcomed and a crackdown on indiscriminate parking would help but, as members of the community council said, they have to go somewhere.

The suggestion of looking at reopening the former travellers’ site in the grounds of Brodick Castle and other locations around the island is worth examining, although the council says it has plans for dedicated parking sites on Arran at the moment.

But it is a problem that is not going to go away.