THE EXTENT of anger over the state of local roads has come out in a massive survey carried out by a political party. St Albans Liberal Democrats delivered the survey to over 36,000 households in St Albans and surrounding villages. Sandy Walkington, Libera

THE EXTENT of anger over the state of local roads has come out in a massive survey carried out by a political party.

St Albans Liberal Democrats delivered the survey to over 36,000 households in St Albans and surrounding villages.

Sandy Walkington, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for St Albans who co-ordinated the survey, said: "There was an unprecedented response. Nearly 2,500 households completed and returned the two-page questionnaire.

"They came from all areas and from across the political spectrum. It was a collective cry of rage at the dangerous condition of so many roads and footways and at the visual pollution caused by shoddy patching where any repairs are carried out."

The statistics showed that 86 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the condition of the local roads and 66 per cent named specific roads that were so bad that they posed a real danger to users.

St Albans roads which featured frequently in complaints included Lemsford Road, Brick Knoll Park, Woodstock Road South, High Oaks, Marshal's Drive and Valley Road. London Colney roads cited included St Anne's Road, Alexander Road and Caledon Road while The Ridgeway and St Albans Road in Sandridge also figured prominently.

Mr Walkington said: "Many people wrote long letters with detailed descriptions of incidents and general issues. They were not just car drivers. The survey was completed by pedestrians, cyclists, mobility scooter users, residents using wheelchairs, mums struggling with prams and buggies."

Sixty four per cent were dissatisfied with the condition of local pavements and footways and 29 per cent of those completing the surveys reported falling over, sometimes with quite serious injury.

Mr Walkington said he would be presenting the results of his survey to Stuart Pile, the county council portfolio holder in charge of roads, and demand immediate action to get a grip on what he called Herts Highways' "woeful performance".

Mr Pile commented "I am grateful to the Lib Dems for carrying out this very valuable survey, and we will be looking at it carefully over the summer.