Forward slashes: are they acceptable in Commonwealth English prose?

In Commonwealth English is it acceptable to write this in a magazine article:

If there are there any nearby towns/villages …

Solution 1:

Punctuation of that kind would be unhelpful in any kind of English. It is much clearer to write If there are there any nearby towns or villages or If there are there any nearby towns and villages, as appropriate. What, incidentally, do you mean by ‘Commonwealth English’?

Solution 2:

Using a forward slash is acceptable as a typographical symbol in place of "or". Overuse has the unfortunate consequence of reduced flow and/or writer appearing unsure of himself/herself.