I read with some amaze­ment that Gloucester Highways' spokesman claimed that the re-surfacing of the A48 from the Silver Fox Cafe to Blakeney (approximately three miles) will take  a "maximum of four weeks", and "isn't expected to be carried out after 5.30pm."

Cllr Vernon Smith (so-called 'cabinet member for highways and floods,') asserted "We are carrying out the work in phases to keep disruption to a minimum for local residents . . ." At no point does Mr Smith refer to the major impact on local business or to the traffic chaos that will occur from the 'planned' diversions.

I know it is not popular in some quarters to say anything praising a European country but consider this. It is over 56 miles from North Rimini, Italy to one of the most important ports of Ancona.  Widening this A14 Motorway from two lanes to three also required at least ten tunnels, over 12 new bridges, eight embankments of steel and concrete, steel barrier crosswind protection,  and more and strengthening bridges on the widened exit and entrance roads.

The work did not stop at 5.30pm but continued for 24 hours at six days a week for two and a half years.

On only one Saturday evening the motorway was closed from 9pm until 6am to allow six bridges to be put in place otherwise the it was open every day  and night.

The result was minimal disruption to the economy of any of the towns and cities along the motorway or to the major export and ferry port of Ancona.

I am well aware that councillors love foreign travel but I am sure the Italian authorities will be willing to send information that will explain how they did it and assist the highway authorities here as they undertake the immense task of resurfacing the A48 without any need to visit the beautiful Emillio Romana and Marche regions. 

I shudder to think how long it would take the highways folks to remove the hundreds of unnecessary road signs on the A48 (for example the speed signs varying from 5O to 40 to 30 between Broadoak and Newnham all in just over a half mile or have traffic calming measures put in on Newnham high street that for many cars drivers, and even truckers who think 50mph is a safe speed ).

– Dr William Riches, Newnham-on-Severn.