CAN I fully endorse Geoff Robb’s letter (April 23) regarding the excellent column “Papering over the cracks” by Megi Rychlikova (The Press, April 20).

The problems go far beyond potholes. Some 18 months ago, in my area, approximately four tenths of a mile of road was completely resurfaced with a top dressing of chippings.

It did not need a civil engineer to realise the old surface had not been fully prepared. Existing damage was not filled prior to the new surface being laid, so it only took a short time before the old wear and tear reappeared.

The white line that was subsequently painted clearly did not comply with the legislation under the Highway Code. The only way to correct this was to burn off the newly-painted white line for its entire length. This left an uneven channel down the centre of the road.

Attempts were made to restore an even surface with a different surface mix, but to no avail. Recently no fewer than eight yellow-clad staff, with a digger and lorry, returned to the site in an attempt to make good the surface of a self-inflicted wound, only to leave it resembling a patchwork quilt. No doubt a further attempt will be made to restore the white line, hopefully to the correct standard specifications.

Who is overseeing this kind of work? Senior councillors should be investigating. We are constantly being reminded of Government cutbacks, but at least we should not be throwing this cash down the pothole.

Ken Thorpe,

Upper Poppleton, York

We need action on the city’s potholes

Recently I passed a City of York Council lorry parked at the end of the road where I live.

It looked as though it was kitted out for employees to embark on a day of pothole filling.

It was gone when I returned, and ironically had been parked on an area of road that contained over a dozen potholes of varying sizes, none of which had been filled. Say no more.

Roger Shenton,

Huntington, York