IN THE days when the North Riding had its own roads work force, our roads were amongst the best in the country. I should know as I covered most of them at the time.

Looking at the terrible state of Rawcliffe Lane, in York, outside the library almost daily, this short stretch seems to embody the full range of road hazards.

In comparison, there are long stretches around the county which have suffered the same winter and often heavier traffic, in perfect condition.

There are others with perfect surfaces on both sides, but deep ruts all along the centre for long stretches where the surface has been laid in two halves.

Others are perfect in the middle but have deep ruts at the sides.

Surely these defects must be cases of faulty workmanship.

The city and county engineers should be acquainting themselves with these and getting the contractors in to explain them.

Where they cannot be explained away, they should be asked to return and fix them right free of charge, or risk being taken off all government and local providers lists.

George Appleby, York.