The speed with which World Cup bunting was removed from lampposts and surrounding a pub in Great Wakering due to possible infringement of health and safety rules shows Essex County Council has its priorities firmly in place.

There are benefits if the bunting were to remain there, and indeed in other streets.

Momentarily our attention would be diverted from the mass of potholes which remain in our roads, not that this is any more of a priority to be attended to.

Imagine VE day 1945, at the end of the Second World War, and council officials taking the same line and forcibly removing bunting over tables awaiting street parties, as they were.

Certain outrage would have followed and the thought of such action seems inconceivable.

Haven’t we moved on for the better?

N Vince
Rocheway
Rochford

...I was outraged to hear an Essex pub landlord has been asked to remove patriotic bunting from his pub during the World Cup in the interests of “health and safety”.

Essex’s roads are still peppered with potholes from the coldest winter in 30 years.

I am claiming more than £100 from Essex County Council for a damaged wheel and tyre, and suggest all those who were not aware they could claim for damage from potholes now bombard the council with similar claims.

If the council is so hell bent on doing things in the interest of health and safety, it will surely pay out what must be thousands of pounds for damage to cars and get these holes fixed without delay. Some of them are more than six inches deep and stretch for several yards.

Driving around Essex on a daily basis creates more than average wear and tear on your car, due to the high number of these potholes that remain unfixed.

So Nicola Spicer, Essex County Council spokesperson, can we take it you will personally address this problem?

Kim Gandy
Eastwood Road
Rayleigh