Sir – I am staggered by Mr Pile s claims re Hertfordshire roads (letters, August 27). So how have I ripped two tyres on these roads in a six month period? I claimed for the first as I knew exactly what happened and was repaid by the authority. I wonder

Sir - I am staggered by Mr Pile's claims re Hertfordshire roads (letters, August 27).

So how have I ripped two tyres on these roads in a six month period?

I claimed for the first as I knew exactly what happened and was repaid by the authority. I wonder whether it would have been able to pay if there had been an accident which was avoided by my actions at the time.

The second tyre was not as dramatic and I just said to myself, "I must remember where that pot hole is". But when I went back there were so many I could not decide which had caused the problem so I did not think it was worth trying to claim another £250.

I don't know how Mr Pile makes his comparisons. I usually compare Herts roads with third world countries. I have actually seen better roads in Africa and I have never seen such conditions in Scotland, Wales or Northumberland although I have driven considerable distances in these areas this year. These are all parts of UK which are deemed comparatively poor. I thought Herts was a prosperous area.

One friend suggests that the road conditions are a way of reassuring immigrants from the third world that they need not feel homesick.

I think the state of our roads is very dangerous because so much driver attention has to be given to road surface when it should be on moving objects and because one has to take an unexpected line on the road to try not to hit the worst bits.

I sometimes wonder what the driver behind thinks I am doing as I turn off Black Fan road to go to Morrisons or as I come onto the roundabout on the A414 from Letty Green or turn to go under WGC station.

Please tell me where your wonderful roads are Mr Pile and I will try to change my routes to get the advantages I would certainly like to enjoy.

Elynor Davies, via email.