Last weekend I had a conducted tour of the roads in the Newtown area of Trowbridge and found myself walking on one of the most neglected, weed-infested networks of roads and sidewalks I have seen in years.

I found a system where the surface of many of the roads is breaking up; many of the drains and manhole covers are at the wrong level in relation to the tarmac and the level of the sidewalk is, in at least one point, below the level of the road, due to heavy vehicles going over it.

I was shown rusted-through signposts, mangled illuminated bollards, at least one road sign that probably hasn't been painted in the last 100 years and a whole host of incomplete, bodged-up repair jobs.

The road and sidewalks are scruffy and neglected and even the road tables are scruffy and neglected with their broken edges and what looks like a bodged repair to one using some sort of red asphalt that stands out like a sore thumb against the surrounding black.

Newtown is an official Conservation Area where the residents have to look after their houses very carefully and have all sorts of expensive planning regulations slapped on them. It seems to me that if the residents have to behave in a responsible manner, then why can't the county council at least look after the roads and sidewalks?

I suggest that it takes an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach in the hope that no-one other than the residents will see this disgraceful state of affairs.

GRAHAM HEDLEY

Trowbridge Town Councillor, College ward

Meridian Walk, Trowbridge