Dear Editor

Most people would agree that highway workers need to be as safe as can be.

Mr Liam Smith is entitled to work without threat harassment or injury.

He does mention the frustration of drivers as a possible factor.

Most of my frustration is caused the totally mismanaged method of putting road closures in place. 

The modern method is for different teams to install traffic controls in advance of the repair team. 

This often means that the road is shut prematurely (sometimes for days) awaiting the workers. 

The process is reversed. I have observed road restrictions that have stretched over three weeks when the work involved has taken just two days.  

I did telephone the Highways department at Worcs council on one occasion. 

They told me me that the men “might be down a hole” this was quite worrying as the site was deserted for many days.

I did enquire about the Street Works legislation that was meant to control such matters. 

It seems that there is general agreement that frustration my be a contributing factor to the impatience complained of. 

One part of the solution might be to manage road closures more effectively and more efficiently.

Christopher Smith
Redditch