WITH regard to the road chaos consequent to the road closure at Bromley Cross railway bridge.

I am no great supporter of many of the council's senior officers, but I cannot stand by and let its highway engineers take the blame for the traffic problems.

Residents have criticised the council for not giving the exact dates of the road repair work, but large "road closure ahead" signs were out before the holiday weekend. It was therefore not too difficult to work out that work was likely to take place on the quieter Sunday and holiday Monday was it?

I was surprised that no work was being done during the Monday afternoon, until I learned that the council was awaiting Transco gas workers to secure a large gas main discovered not supported properly in the trench. Transco turned up late Tuesday morning, thus delaying the completion of the works.

Further, when many residents were watching TV during Wednesday evening, the council engineer and its excellent contractor (J Hopkins) were frantically putting the road back together as fast as they could.

A word of warning. Network Rail is aware of damage to the underside of the stone road bridge, following a large vehicle impact, so should the road be closed again for a day or two later on to repair this, the public at least have had some practice at enduring traffic chaos. I know it was particularly unpleasant for drivers caught up on the "motorway" that is otherwise known as Blackburn Road!

Simon Pearce

Lower House Walk

Bromley Cross