I recently received a survey from Herefordshire Council. It does not seem to have a title but the first line which is highlighted states the aim “please help us to improve local streets, roads, buses and cycling.”

It has over 300 questions with six possible responses to each. A note at the end makes it clear that it is a local copy of a national survey.

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This document came out of the blue and my first question is “why me?”

The notice on the front page is signed by Ed Bradford, head of highways and traffic, and Ben Marshall, project manager at Ipsos.

I would like to know the cost of this survey. We have councillors and paid council officials to devise ways of bringing about the desired improvements listed.

We also have parish councils to flag up local issues. Plenty of locals have made relevant points in the Hereford Times and elsewhere.

A survey arriving at random without a covering letter is a poor way for professionals to conduct research.

This is not an anti-council rant. I generally consider that Herefordshire Council does a good job, particularly in light of constant financial cuts.

What are your thoughts?

You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.

Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.

A few years ago I wrote to the council concerning Leominster, where the pavement opposite the fire station is, at one point, a mere 112 cms wide. The surface is broken and there is a near constant stream of pedestrians.

There is also an almost constant stream of road traffic, including many juggernauts. Anyone who slipped onto the road at this point would be at serious risk of death or grave injury. A possible solution would be a railing.

I suggest that asking people to raise a maximum of say three issues would be a more fruitful exercise.

JOE COCKER

Leominster