Sir, – At the time of the last snowfall in Coverdale we were visited by a tractor with a little gritting hopper on the back.

Is that what we get for our rather high council tax? You would think that after the mild winter last year there would be tons of the stuff lying around.

And have you tried to contact the highways lately? No response to phone calls and emails; impossible to get past the lady on their switchboard; nothing heard from either district or county councillors, and no acceptance of my invitation to this week's parish meeting in Carlton for the highways chief.

At least Cllr Parsons got his feelings aired in the press about the gritting, with the usual response.

Well believe me (and everyone I have spoken to) it wasn't good enough. Please try harder ... buy another gritter or two.

HOWARD THOMAS

Carlton in Coverdale.