SIR,

Your picture last month prompted me to write to you on the dangers that the public are currently coping with.

Last autumn a cyclist's death was attributed to hitting a pothole. The weather that we have had since has accelerated the breakdown of road surfaces and I have recently been informed of several steadily driven cars incurring severe damage to their tyres, wheels and tracking.

Hazards of this nature are arising nationally and the kite has been flown to the effect that local authorities are considering if it is possible to abrogate or limit their responsibilities in respect of some roads. We are fortunate that this is not the case in Monmouthshire.

To check the situation locally I rang the council to ascertain its position and to enquire about the procedure for the reporting and repair of potholes. In a pleasant conversation I was advised that a call to County Hall or to a One-stop Shop would be passed to the respective department. The caller should give as accurate description of location as possible.

The department would then allocate the report to the surveyor/ engineer responsible for that area. They would then inspect within a week and determine the work required. After this time, any enquiry from the public could be advised of the action to be taken.

Whilst it is reassuring to know that such a system exists, it does seem that during the week (minimum) that occurs, the public will still be unaware of the hazard and this could be disastrous. I personally cannot see this period being reduced, especially since the pressures on local government to economise appear to be increasing.

(Name and address supplied)