WHEN I heard that Park Street was to be closed for repair works by Thames Water, my heart jumped with joy. It was obvious that this much travelled and ignored (by Gloucester County Council) thoroughfare could (finally) have its potholes repaired at the same time. Gloucester County Council could replace the road surface disturbed by Thames Water (at a reasonable charge) and, to avoid unnecessary disruption of traffic, resurface the rest of Park Street.

It was so obvious, and at the same time would achieve three objectives: 1 Avoid further damage to local vehicles 2 Save money 3 Please local residents (and when was the last time that happened).

Sadly all my hopes, and those of all residents of our lovely town, were dashed. The potholes remain.

Now the bureaucrats at Shire Hall and the Cabinet (of which all members are Conservatives, in spite of them not having an overall majority) will inform us that some potholes have been filled in, as if this is something we should be grateful for. However, this was done in a haphazard and shoddy manner, so we now have a patchwork surface, which looks quite pretty but is not appreciated by our cars’ suspensions.

With any luck this letter will evoke a constructive reply, but I am not holding my breath.

ROY ARCHER

Cirencester