Value for money?

Locally, we have been privileged to observe these in practice.

The council spent quite a lot of money on notices advising us about what to do with cars etc while our street was being upgraded. Then, to our surprise, only the pavement on one side of the street was resurfaced. Large holes remain in the middle of the road.

Money was also saved by replacing old and often broken kerb stones alongside the chosen pavement.

With a flash of inspiration, the council achieved value for the money already spent by leaving the second pavement, just as it was, with an interesting variety of lumps, bumps and potholes.

We now have the real choice of walking either up a smooth pavement or tripping up a rough one; we have the satisfaction of knowing that, although our council tax rises steadily every year, which is very tough for people on low or fixed incomes, the council can exercise real choice on how it wants to spend our money, supported by our charity and endurance.

Margaret Coombs (Mrs), Divinity Road, Oxford