Sir – I am in receipt of a most arrogant letter from Bob Jewell, finance director, etc, at Welwyn Hatfield Council. It refers to serious concerns expressed in my letters recently published in the WHT. It appears that complaints made via these columns do

Sir - I am in receipt of a most arrogant letter from Bob Jewell, finance director, etc, at Welwyn Hatfield Council. It refers to serious concerns expressed in my letters recently published in the WHT.

It appears that complaints made via these columns do not represent an official complaint so, apparently, they are ignored.

Tell that to all the people involved in the various debates like the Tesco development, Stanborough, etc, and also tell Dr Lewis who has been able to challenge so many wrongs through this avenue; but back to the letter.

First the wall. 'We have inspected the area to ensure that excessive rubble was not present. Unfortunately our surveyor did find a couple of loose bricks, which appear to have been knocked from the wall'. Guess who had cleared up all rubble earlier, including the slab of concrete missing from the top?

Second, I expressed fear for the life of people using the garage precinct because a huge tree trunk is hanging down loosely from a great height. 'We cannot discover which tree you are referring to'. There is only one tree! If the surveyor had looked above his head he would have seen what danger he was in!

Mr Jewell said the other issues are not the responsibility of the borough council. So, the risk so obvious from a pothole at the roadside entrance to a zebra crossing is of no concern to him? And yet, in the leaflet he so kindly sent me, is the statement: 'Complaints received in respect of other organisations will be forwarded by the council to the appropriate bodies'.

This council just does not get it that where there is a risk to life and limb, a letter in your columns makes some people aware of the problem, immediately. No waiting for a committee meeting.

My final problem was raised by the council itself.

I telephoned to report exposed electric wiring on the lamppost near my home. I was asked to give the number and location of this post. When I said that it was the one with the notice about warden patrols I was told 'Sorry sir, I have no report of that area having been patrolled'.

Well is it or isn't it?

My letter to the PM on this matter was replied to in four days.

S Stevens, Birds Close, WGC.

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