SIR – Conservative councillors are challenging Herts Highways seemingly spending an additional �15,000 on consultants fees on a raised island at the A1081 Redbourn Lane only costing �10,000 of construction costs. This is all funded from development monie

SIR - Conservative councillors are challenging Herts Highways seemingly spending an additional �15,000 on consultants' fees on a raised island at the A1081 Redbourn Lane only costing �10,000 of construction costs.

This is all funded from development monies from Hatching Green housing on Green Belt and does not appear to myself with civil engineering expertise good value. The raised island appears a standard detail understood used elsewhere in the district and the only extra costs should be some semi-automatic traffic monitoring, a report and some site supervision.

�15,000 happens to be about the cost of a badly needed footpath along the same road to Harpenden Rugby Club used by children at weekend training and for large events. It is where in the last five years three people have died directly due to traffic incidents.

This footpath has had the full backing of the rugby club and police for the last two years but not Herts Highways. Other funding is not available as it is seen to be HH's responsibility.

Recent other differences with HH technical engineers, namely on Common Ponds liability (�150k), farmers market access, Batford Mill flooding, land ownership facilitating Redourn Lane crossing, 30mph on higher Wheathampsted Road, associated crossing and 40mph for safety of new cycleway all resolved means that it is 6-0 in our favour.

This is the seventh and using the words of Mr Eastwood to HH, "do you feel lucky?" or "make my day". Seriously the fees seem very excessive and the need for a footpath imperative.

MIKE WAKELY

Oakfield Road, Harpenden