Contractor responds in re-surfacing row

FOLLOWING his letter of complaint about the method of resurfacing roads with chippings, Mr Andy Ford from Thame has received the following response for Contractor hired to do the recent resurfacing in the town:
“Dear Mr Ford
With regards to the actual process and it?s reasons I can really only re-iterate Mr Purcell-Smith?s comments that surface dressing is a very cost effective maintenance technique carried out throughout the whole Country and much of the rest of the world.

It is also one of the most environmentally friendly processes using a lot less natural material resources than almost all other processes (approx 75% less stone than a surface course replacement), and it requires no material to be taken to tip.

With regards to East Street, this was a road completed last summer. Unfortunately it was completed towards the latter end of the season and this coupled with the worst summer for over 100 years meant there was very little natural embedment. This site has been monitored and swept as required throughout the winter and remedial work has now completed. I can assure you that this has all been at our cost and not the Taxpayers. We are a Company with an excellent reputation within the industry and pride our selves on the quality of our work. Over the past 5 years we would have completed in excess of 5 million square metres in Oxfordshire alone with less than 0.5% remedial work being required. Our normal remedial rate is and we aim for 0% but as I have said above last year was one of the worst years on record.

I trust the above is of some assistance.”
Regards
Chris Stanley
General Manager
Hazell & Jefferies Ltd.

Mr Ford what not satisfied with this reply and penned the following: (WARNING: strong language)

“Thanks you for your response but yet again, I agree this method should be suitable?

BUT its not and the recent resurfacing around Thame in particular is to put it bluntly CRAP!

1 – The surface is already coming off,
2 – There are bald patches already
3 – The pot holes that were not filled are coming apart.
4 – there are more ridges and lumps than before

“How under any stretch of the imagination can anyone professionally call this suitable and cost effective.

Cheap, not value for money and dangerous is what I call it, and I am not alone. I do not ever think I have heard so many people complain about the state of our roads as lately.

I hope some press coverage, photos and our MP? may actually open those eyes that need to see what a poor state our roads are in! More over this is the Taxpayers money that is being wasted.”

regards
Mr Ford