YOUR correspondent Steven Cannon (Letters, November 22) was right to point out the inadequacies of the M8; the final section of this two-lane highway was only completed last year. This is a poor show but is not nearly as bad as the lack of a motorway up the main artery of Scotland. North of Perth and between Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Thurso there are roads with only a single lane in each direction.

Building a proper road network in Scotland should have begun decades ago. The situation in England is quite different. Since the M1 went from London to Birmingham in the early 1960s, followed by many other motorways, Scotland was left out of the loop. Where does the blame for this lie?

Margaret Pennycook,

42 Aytoun Road, Glasgow.

I CAN sympathise with Steven Cannon. The road markings on our main roads are now appalling to the extent of being dangerous. The A811 between Stirling and Balfron has intermittent road marking, very poor cats-eye provision and virtually no markings at junctions. The council are, however, willing to spend tens of thousands installing rumble strips on the approach to junctions and villages, pointless expense when the road is in such a poor state anyway – nobody pays the slightest attention. Who needs rumble strips when there are so many potholes and areas of broken road?

Steve Barnet,

Broom Park, Gargunnock.

WITH regard to Steven Cannon’s letter about the state of the M8 (Scotland’s longest car park), I too commuted by car from the west to Edinburgh for several years. However, unlike him, I realise the cunning road transport policy that is in place: sicken drivers so much that they will give up their cars and purchase bicycles. Road congestion and air pollution sorted in a oner.

Ian Craig,

101 Lethame Road, Strathaven.

REGARDING the M8: I picked my son up at Edinburgh Airport off a late flight recently. It was late, it was dark, I do not regularly commute to Edinburgh but have travelled the road many times over the years. I arrived home in 45 minutes; nothing wrong with road as far as I could see.

I cannot understand what Mr Cannon is referring to when he claims his wife was losing sight of road markings? As to the gantries, was he unlucky and they were unlit for some reason? If my memory serves me correctly most of the new bit is pretty well lit?

Dougie Jardine,

20 Buchlyvie Gardens, Bishopbriggs.