HIGHWAYS officials have insisted they were well prepared for heavy snowfall which brought main roads across the region to a standstill (Sentinel, February 7).

This concerns me if Saturday was an example of the Highways Agency being prepared? I buy a First Week bus ticket to attend to my mother who recently suffered a stroke and with the recent cuts, we need now to do our duty and provide the care they gave us during our upbringing. So pull your fingers out and get the roads sorted, so we can go about our daily business.

Dizzy1960

Sweden and countries like that are well prepared. If grit isn't working then what is the alternative to clearing a path through the snow? Snow ploughs.

WebMonkey1

A QUARTER of shops in Hanley are lying empty, according to a new report (Sentinel, February 7).

I am surprised it's not more given the fact that everything is cheaper through online retailers. Everytime I go to the shops I check if it's cheaper on the internet which spoils the enjoyment of going to the shops in the first place. But I have to take care of the pennies as they don't come easy these days. It would help if these so called 'local' shops would price match online prices but I suppose they would struggle with the overheads that they have. It's a shame but a sign of the times I suppose. Stoke-on-Trent will have to be renamed Warehouse City.

Neil100

A quarter of shops in Hanley are lying empty, according to a new report - and the other three-quarters are takeaways.

Greyguitar

Maybe it could become a prime location for film makers needing a 'ghost-town' setting? It's an ill-wind that blows nobody any good.

Backdoored

TWO Bargain Booze off-licences were caught selling alcohol to underage customers as part of a police operation (Sentinel, February 7).

Both these shops should be closed for selling to underage people. They know the rules. And if the buyer looks young or there could be a possibility they are underage they should be asked for identification. If they can't provide it, they don't get served.It works like that in the Bargain Booze in Dresden. What I have said might seem extreme and some might think I am over-reacting, but being in a position where you have had young kids of around 14-17 throwing empty beer bottles at you, just for looking at them, I feel I have a right to have my say what I'd like to happen.

NelsonL

Binge drinking is enough of a problem when the sale of alcohol is properly enforced. Any shop caught selling to under-aged people should be shut down.

BinDiver