District defended

SIR – A couple of letters from local Conservatives (Herts Advertiser, February 4) pour predictable scorn on the efforts of Lib Dem district councillors to persuade the county council, as the highways authority, to improve their response to snow and ice. I

SIR - A couple of letters from local Conservatives (Herts Advertiser, February 4) pour predictable scorn on the efforts of Lib Dem district councillors to persuade the county council, as the highways authority, to improve their response to snow and ice.

It doesn't require a degree in politics to work out that they are simply trying to deflect blame away from county which is run by, yes, the Conservatives.

Nearly everybody agrees that we were badly let down by county during the bad weather. They failed to learn anything from last year's cold snap. Key roads were left untreated. Pavements were ignored. Opportunities for self-help were limited because salt bins had been removed.

Should the district council simply sit back and allow county to let us down again? No. That's why we passed a resolution asking county urgently to address their evident shortcomings. That's why we asked the politician in charge at county to start a dialogue by attending last week's Cabinet meeting at the district council. Did he accept? No. And what is envisaged? A review commencing sometime after the election.

So, no apology for seeking a better deal for St Albans from county. I suspect that's what most residents feel their district council ought to be doing.

CLLR ANTHONY

ROWLANDS

Portfolio Holder for Community Engagement and Support