I WOULD like to make two comments about the state of the roads where the local bus companies run.

Firstly, I would like to say that although Stoke-on-Trent Council has been in the limelight on many occasions for all the wrong reasons, on this occasion I believe it is only fair to compliment it for all the work and effort in keeping bus routes clear within its area.

Secondly, this cannot be said for Staffordshire Highways with regard to parts of Kidsgrove, Whitehill and the Newchapel Ward, as the Number 6 bus has been unable to run to Kidsgrove on a number of occasions because Pennyfields Road had not been gritted and the police have had to close it.

Those that live in Harriseahead, Mow Cop and Dales Green, on the Number 99A route did not have the luxury of this bus service, along with the Bakerbus Number 77 service, because on a number of occasions the roads were too dangerous, through not being gritted.

Therefore, you can imagine what is was like for car users and also local residents who have very little in the way of shops and chemists and no doctors within two to three miles.

Basically, the people living in those areas think they are the forgotten people.

So, perhaps Staffordshire Highways will bear this in mind when classing our roads as C-roads and will hopefully grit our local bus route roads, so we can carry on with our day-to-day business, going to work, school, doctors and shops etc.

SANDRA BOWYER

Harriseahead