Not all our borough’s roads are equal

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLED

It was heartening to read Coun Higginbottom’s party political broadcast in last week’s letters page.

It is great to hear when circumstances allow – a privileged position in the council’s cabinet for instance – there is investment into the local highway network. In Wombwell anyway...

Unfortunately, this does not extend throughout the rest of the borough.

The road surfaces in Dodworth, Barugh Green, Gawner, Higham and Pogmoor are a disgrace yet motorists have to endure such blight and pay more council tax due to central government cuts, pay their road tax and then pay out again when their vehicles fail their MOTs due to pothole damage.

Yet £13m can be found for a bridge in keeping with the council’s image for the town...

The areas mentioned do not have a Labour councillor. In fairness, the ward did have two extremely hard-working Labour councillors representing them previously.

But that fact that is no longer the case could have a lot to with the envioronmental and ecological nightmare that is MU1 being forced upon locals who may have decided that, as they are not being listened to, they may as well not waste their vote on someone who doesn’t – or isn’t – allowed to listen to the local opinions or points of view.

I note Coun Higgingbottom’s comment relating to prioritising roads in areas with greatest need which is a fine, upstanding point of view.

However, if you have someone in a position of authority in your corner, it is quite easy to prioritise. Especially when votes are being counted soon.