I HAD hoped the Gazette might feature an official response to readers' concerns about local road surfaces but, sadly, there is nothing.

Surely there must be many more who feel the situation is now one of wanton neglect, with failing drainage covers some apparently rising too deterioration of patched up potholes into five-inch deep craters waiting to test tyres and suspension, and main roads where the surface has crumbled away significantly.

After letters explaining the need to inform the road defect reporting system CLARENCE at least three months before standing any chance of taking the council to court for damage caused to cars, I did wonder how long I might be on the phone if I tried to list all the defects being ignored around Chippenham town centre.

If I left a recorded message quoting "the whole one-way system" would this provide enough detail?

And do you really think long-lasting repairs would be carried out within three months? Neither do I.

And even then, I'd have to add Station Hill, the roads out towards the Folly roundabouts towards Westinghouse, towards Sainsbury's and my current favourite, Lowden Hill, where the Sheldon Road side of the railway bridge has been completely resurfaced, leaving the other rutted and needing two firm hands on the wheel to keep a straight line.

I am sure other readers could add many more.

Might it provide a very informative service to the community if the Gazette were the liaise with the council and publish a weekly list of road repairs about to take place?

There would be additional benefit from the advance notice helping with traffic flow and I am sure we would appreciate more the efforts being made on our behalf.

Perhaps you could even publish details of what has already been recorded on CLARENCE so we do not overload the system with repeat calls about the same defect?

Of course, this would give us an idea of when the three-month leeway for avoiding claims would expire. Surely this information is not a secret?

Or maybe I am totally wide of the mark and the new thinking is that by not repairing roads we will have to drive more carefully or maybe even stop using cars completely?

MR J L DIXON

Bodman Close

Chippenham