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Thin end of the wedge

I may be holding the wrong end of the stick but I’m sure I’ll be corrected if I’m wrong.

I’ve been wondering how many private cars brought into Britain are technically being driven illegally on British roads.

Here in the UK it is mandatory to have your car undergo an MOT every year if your vehicle is over three years old. Unless the laws have recently changed, cars in mainland Europe only have to be tested every two years for road worthiness - France and Germany to name two.

So that means every European registered owned car that comes into this country and driven on our roads which hasn’t been tested in the last 12 months is breaking UK law. Also, more importantly, as the M.OT is seen as an essential part of British motoring legislation, it’s potentially putting lives at risk in this country.

After years of flouting our laws, we are now being told by the E.U if Brexit isn’t suited to them the British driving licence may be invalid to use on Europe’s roads and, therefore, Brits will have to pay extra for a special permit.

Furthermore, and I can’t help thinking this is the thin end of the wedge too, it’s no secret and it depends on which part of mainland Europe, new car prices are less than in Britain. We have been informed that a great majority of new cars coming off the production line are destined for export. However, you’d be naive not to think some of these cars don’t find their way back into the UK, hence avoiding paying VAT.

William Abraham, Rodbourne, Swindon

On the right track

I refer to the letter from Brian Mansfield 3rd August. The tracks to which he refers can only be what remains of the base which secured winding gear for the barrage balloon which was operated from the site during the war.

As he is no doubt aware these monstrous balloons were flown at strategic sites to deter enemy aircraft from low level bombing or strafing. There was also one based at the Great Western Park in Faringdon Road.

The balloon based at Savernake Street created its own havoc one night when during a strong wind it broke from its moorings and drifted across Old Town. It was finally re-captured but not before the trailing cable had damaged a number of house roofs and demolished at least one chimney. My wife, who then lived in Eastcott Road, remembers being awakened by the noise and recalls people fleeing their homes thinking they were under attack. The building on the site was an emergency wartime restaurant in those days.

Ray Morse, Tismeads Crescent, Swindon

Fishing for answers

Re Re Fake religious news (Steve Thompson. 31st July). Of course the fisherfolk never saw through Farage - how could they being of the very same mindset as Steve Thompson?

Jeff Adams, Bloomsbury, Swindon