Madam, – Stephen O’Byrnes’s description of the appallingly litter-strewn state of our roads (March 31st) is all too accurate. This unfortunately is not a recent phenomenon, but reflects a picture of environmental neglect on behalf of the authorities concerned. I assumed (naively perhaps) that the National Roads Authority would have overall responsibility for the road network, but when I wrote to it recently I too was fobbed off and told that it was up to the local authorities in situ and was reminded that the NRA did not cause the litter in the first place (that was good to know). In short, it didn’t seem to care.
The influence of individual citizens must be somewhat limited, but surely a body that includes the word “authority” in its title would demonstrate some environmental leadership? If it doesn’t care for the environment, are we entitled to ask what is its attitude to road maintenance? – Yours, etc,