SIR, — With regards to the repair of our roads, can someone explain to me the economies of using one contractor for the whole of the county. Monopolies never work, — ask any businessman. We have the worst road surfaces in the country, bar none. If you tra

SIR, - With regards to the repair of our roads, can someone explain to me the economies of using one contractor for the whole of the county. Monopolies never work, - ask any businessman.

We have the worst road surfaces in the country, bar none. If you travel around as I do, you will understand.

Other authorities, especially in the north-London area, resurface hundreds of yards of their roads at night - St Johns Wood to Swiss Cottage being one example while we in Herts have to put up with restrictions for weeks on end. The A414 is a prime example.

Surely it would be more economic to employ different contractors for different jobs with time restrictions included in their contract. That way maybe we would not have the current closures and restrictions.

MICHAEL ELLIS,

Minister Court, Frogmore.