SIR

When entering Monmouth you have five main choices:

1) Entering from Ross via the A40 you use the Dixton Road. Unfortunately you are looking at a neglected, overgrown wasteland, but if you carry on along the falling apart road surface and at the end near the traffic lights you have the derelict, boarded up health clinic (unlike a pint of beer, it has been empty for years).

2) Instead you travel beautiful Forest of Dean and Staunton. The rolling hills of the Kymin bring you to the now very well restored Mayhill Hotel which Stuart, the landlord, has spent a lot of time and money on. But opposite the hotel we have the dilapidating eyesore that was Mr Parry's yard. No one has made any attempt to tidy this mess for years. MCC, Environmental Health and Safety say that this site is okay or not their responsibility.

3) You can come from Trelleck, over the dual carriage way, a better option. And you can see the recently destroyed barren land which was recently tree covered and animal inhabited but all are gone now and instead there is increased noise from the A40.

4) Coming from Rockfield village, past Rockfield Studios, you have the new, temporary road entering the main road on a blind bend and into more disruption, obstruction and roadworks, past what was a playing field but is now a giant mud pile.

5) Enter from Redbrook via the A466: very pleasant up to the traffic lights on the Wyebridge.

I think, because of these dreadful eyesores, many people just keep on driving. Any ideas or suggestions MCC; anyone?

R W Bradley

(Monmouth)