Postbag: Hole lot of trouble

YOUR comment in the January 4 issue refers to the efforts of road engineers to ensure the safety of the public. You also mention factors such as schools in relation to vulnerability. In 2004, my car was damaged by a pothole which had developed in an old

YOUR comment in the January 4 issue refers to the efforts of road engineers to ensure the safety of the public.

You also mention factors such as schools in relation to vulnerability.

In 2004, my car was damaged by a pothole which had developed in an old road repair. This was in a road which also serves a primary school. I wrote to the highway authority claiming for the damage.

Over a period of months, I was passed from Huntingdon to Cambridge and treated to a series of evasive letters until finally it was admitted roads in the area had not been inspected for safety annually as should be the case. The claim was agreed.

A short time later, another part of this same road was prepared for resurfacing and parts of the surface were dug out, in one case leaving an excavation in the road centre 4ft long, 6in wide and several inches deep. This was left unmarked and unguarded for 24 hours.

A nearby road was resurfaced at the same time and left with a surface of loose chippings. This road was also left without any warning signs. Cambridgeshire County Council responded by acknowledging that the contractors had been negligent and had been reprimanded.

In fact, the council had obviously failed in their duty of care.

R LOGAN, Pound Road, Bury