VOLKSWAGEN has been experimenting with an off-road vehicle the size of a transit van. Heaven help us.

Picture the scene. You're out with the family wandering through a woodland glade, admiring the bluebells while a blackbird flutes his song of spring to the accompaniment of a babbling brook.

Suddenly, in a cacophonous blend of revving engine, screeching gears and spinning tyres, some stupid herbert in a baseball cap kicks your tranquillity into touch as a vehicle half the size of a bus comes crashing through the foliage.

Yes, it's a classic case of someone's personal freedom infringing the rights of others.

And I don't give a fig for whatever contrived, contraption of an argument the off-road lobby comes up with to counter this view. In a country where no one can escape traffic hum, the last thing that's needed is this insane idea from a company that should know better.