Surface should be properly restored

The A452 is going to be closed by a utility company – again. A few years ago it was closed for resurfacing between the Nuffield Hospital and the Ramada Hotel. The whole road surface was replaced to a high standard. Not long afterwards it was closed so new gas pipes could be laid. When it was resurfaced only the surface that was dug up was repaired – and the road was soon closed a third time for further repairs. Again, only the side of the road heading towards Leamington, where the utility company had dug, was repaired and was still not as good as the initial work. The carriageway heading towards Kenilworth is still in good condition.

It is now going to be closed for a fourth time for work by an electricity power company (Courier last week).

Firstly, surely it is feasible in the current era of electronic communication if one utility company is going to dig up the road to alert other utility companies to coordinate between themselves so there is as little disruption to the public as possible and for the council to insist that they do so. Secondly, the initial resurfacing came out of council taxpayers’ funds. The subsequent repairs did not restore the road to the previous standard. We, the Warwickshire council taxpayers, paid for good quality resurfacing – the utility companies should restore the road to the previous standard.

Thirdly, resurfacing only part of a heavily used road is a false economy. There will inevitably be some subsidence and settlement. The whole section of the road is closed anyway so it will hardly take any longer or be more disruptive to repair and resurface the whole road as they go along.

Charles Essex, Trinity Street, Leamington