SO, the Army's new concrete military road across Salisbury Plain has cost £12m. (History uncovered, Wiltshire Times, October 13)

On October 11 a group of contractors, MoD VIPs and guests, gathered in Warminster to mark the opening of the road. Taxpayers no doubt are forbidden to use the road, even if it went anywhere useful.

One wonders if such expense for tank roads is really necessary, especially when tanks, right from their early days, were designed to be capable of getting across the most testing terrain using their tracks.

In the photograph which accompanied your report, are the latest Challenger 2 tanks trying out the new road, or are they out to prove they can only operate on concreted specially-made roads?

The answer is obvious, they do not need special roads.

Wiltshire County Council's budget is woefully inadequate to keep county roads maintained, repaired, gritted in winter, etc. Our rural roads in this county are getting worse and worse each year as urgent upkeep is delayed or cancelled yet again. Such basics as white lining renewal and the regular maintenance of cats' eyes are everywhere neglected. Everyone can add to the list resulting from the accumulated road funding shortage year on year.

The £12m totally wasted on the Warminster road for heavy tanks would have been far better spent on behalf of the motorists who have to daily use local roads denied the level of funding that would make them both safer and surer to drive on.

How good it would be if ceremonies could be held across Wiltshire marking the opening of new public roads rather than private MoD ones.

Even some repair parties might also be held.

MICHAEL BOWEN,

Late Broads,

Winsley,

Bradford on Avon.