Dear Editor,

The state of the A40 through Weston under Penyard is, in one word – dangerous.

For years our roads have been neglected and now most of the area’s road surfaces need resurfacing but the A40 needs more attention than most.

The road through Weston is dangerous for cyclists, motor cycles and damaging to vehicles. Its also a danger to pedestrians who cross the road – particularly at night with so much broken surface.

The A40 is breaking up and in need of urgent resurfacing throughout Weston under Penyard. White lines are worn away, and this is arguably the worst section of a major A road in the county.

All the pot holes and cracks need repairing with some urgency but it is clear that the surface layers have degraded and are breaking up so quickly that the whole road needs to be resurfaced in the future.

This is a gateway route to Ross-on-Wye where visitors and holidaymakers may have to have their damaged tyres and suspension repaired.

Our local MP Jesse Norman invites feedback, as do our County Councillors. It’s up to us, the voters and road users to make sure our elected officers are made aware of this safety issue through Weston under Penyard.

Please take the time to write or mail to Jesse Norman MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Roads, Local Transport and Devolution, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR or e-mail [email protected] and use the subject line Transport Road Enquiry.

Figures published in October 2016 claimed it would take 14 years to clear the backlog of potholes, but whoever controls the road has a legal duty to maintain it to a fit standard. If they don’t, and your car is damaged, they should pay for repairs. That’s the law. There is a lot of information on the internet relating to ‘how to claim’.

Doug Skeggs

Weston under Penyard