I RECENTLY contacted the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding Gloucestershire Highways' 'do nothing' policy towards local Forest roads.

I had previously noted that Gloucestershire Highways did rather well when the extra money from central government for pot-holes and bad weather was divvied out.

So I sought assurance from the DfT that they would ensure that the Forest roads would at last get the attention they require after so many years neglect.

Unless I am reading it wrongly, it appears that there are no standards for road maintenance which are enforcible by central government.

They simply 'encourage good practice'.

This implies that Gloucestershire Highways can do as much or as little road upkeep as it wishes.

By implication this must mean that Gloucestershire Highways does not need to account for our money which central government gives them.

– W Wylde, Whitecroft.