So Wiltshire has come out top of a new league table designed to give a 'true picture' of councils' performances in England.

The Wiltshire County Council chief executive, Keith Robinson, is quoted as saying: "We continually strive to provide excellent services within available resources".

The county road network is a main responsibility within those resources. Of course the weasel word here is 'available'.

The dangerous state of the county roads through lack of basic maintenance is there for all to see. The county prefers yellow lines for stationary regulation to visible white lines and cats eyes to guide moving vehicles.

These basic aids to safe motoring are absent along hundreds of miles of county roads: a disgraceful situation that is not acknowledged and not funded, or starved of available resources because it is not considered a priority?

Your paper reports many horrific county road accidents. Always it is the drivers who face blame... but we know that road conditions and road engineering can be a major factor.

Keith Robinsons says: "To have that work recognised nationally is very pleasing". It certainly would be very pleasing if that commendation really included well maintained and safe county roads, but it doesn't.

The county can take no credit at all as far as roads are concerned.

Whilst the chief executive might find the national comparison of county councils very pleasing, don't expect Wiltshire road users to do the same! We know better.

Michael Bowen,

Crown Court,

Woolley Street,

Bradford on Avon.