LETTERS From Richard Wilson, Newport:
Oh, look! Our roads have melted again. Must be the wrong type of temperature.
Our roads are now the worst in the country, that’s official. What a statement to put on your CV if you’re the head of highways.
We used to have a sign as you drove off the ferries onto the Island stating, "that our roads are different, please drive with care" some time ago these signs were taken down, maybe they should go back up saying, "our roads are the worst in the country, please send your bill to the IW Council". Imagine having to come to the Island on holiday now only to find that as you return home your car has knackered rims, split tyres, knackered suspension and carrying enough tar on the outside to resurface your front drive.
Maybe we should ask the Ordnance Survey to come to the Island so that they can down grade our roads to "unmade".
The council keeps using the same old excuse that we have won a major grant to resurface all our roads and pavement etc. And that it will be a worth many millions to the Island. I can’t wait until 2013. I want the roads to be sorted NOW.
I wonder if the head of highways drives a motorcycle or rides a bike, I doubt it. I wonder if he gets a new car each year?
Does he have to spend hours cleaning the tar off his car? I doubt it.
They must be the only people praying for rain since the last time in March when they melted the first time. Taking action by throwing more chippings on the road? That’s what they have done and are getting the contractor to pay for it.
Well that’s OK then. So long as I’m not paying for something again.
So now we have paint chips and busted windscreens to look forward to. And what is that they are putting on the road. I was told is fine granite dust. Is that OK to breathe in? Should the HSE be made aware that the council is intentionally filling the lungs of cyclists with an abrasive dust?
I’ve checked the council website and can’t find anything about the roads. Is it that embarrassing that we don’t want it known our roads are in such a state. I did find one thing though. If you look on the site and type in the search highways, and then go to contacts/project team, there are no less than seven managers listed under one director, a total of 13 people paid by us, the taxpayers, to do a job.
Quite frankly, I want my money back. We, the Island public, are not satisfied with the sub-standard product. And we aren’t happy.
Come on Mr Turner, Island MP. What say you?
• More letters on this topic in the Friday, August 3, County Press.