THERE are so many roadworks going on locally that it will soon be quicker to walk.

Most people fail to realise that as well as the people who plan and carry out the work, there is also a secret body which I call the diversion diverting squad.

Their job is to assess where the temporary traffic lights are then guess which route the locals will take to avoid them so that they can put a set on that road too.

Another trick is to put out a sign saying Diversion Ahead with an arrow pointing right.

As there are no further signs you drive aimlessly for about 20 minutes until you eventually see a sign and an arrow saying Diverted Traffic, which takes you to the end of the queue for the original hold up.

On the one hand the powers that be are keen to reduce the number of cars on the road but they also need the income from all that lovely fuel tax so their solution is to set up endless diversions, as they know that stop/start motoring leads to increased fuel consumption. 

GRAHAM CRIBB, Branksome Wood Road, Bournemouth