IN ALL the correspondence about the pain and suffering being caused to drivers in the Leigh area by all the roadworks, those inflicted by United Utilities in the Platt Fold Road/Avenue area seem to have escaped.

I first encountered them last June when I found my way to the infirmary barred by the closure of Platt Fold Road.

They then migrated into the Avenue, complete with traffic lights near the entrance to the infirmary and health centre.

These cause disruption, not just for visitors, but particularly the staff who have to brave them every day.

And Lilford Park was turned into a no-go area for many weeks.

Every time I visit a friend who lives beyond the disaster area, I have to solve a different set of problems.

He tells me that United Utilities spin doctors have been busy reassuring the local residents that everything is on schedule but he cannot remember a finishing date being published.

I hope they are aware of the special events planned at Lilford Park in June and the potential for a PR disaster.

The residents of the Avenue must be at their wits’ end, particularly those whose drives are blocked.

The Avenue is currently closed beyond the infirmary and the traffic lights have migrated further down.

And once you escape into Holden Road remember that the guided busway road works lie in wait for you.

Tony Bond

Leigh