However the trip was marred by having to watch the road surface carefully to avoid potholes. Three years ago I had a nasty fall from my bike due to a large pothole. East Sussex County Council was very swift in repairing the road when we reported the disaster.

However it should not take an accident for necessary repairs to be carried out. This is the same attitude that we get to repeated requests for speed control measures in villages. – 'There have been no fatalities to prove that there is a need to restrict speed further', when we all see plenty of examples of accidents waiting to happen.

Local Liberal Democrats have been campaigning for more action on the poor surfaces to many of the roads and footways throughout the county. We all agree that funds are tight but ways have to be found for this to be addressed. At the end of a council year there are unspent funds in some budgets. Don't stash it away for rainy day projects, use it now before the rash of claims for broken wheels and ankles or even worse are lodged.

Getting the work done will not be a manpower problem. With the prospect of a new raft of school leavers without jobs there is going to be a good supply of labour to carry out necessary work.