Sat, Feb 11 2012

Letter to the Editor: The state of your roads...

Fri, Jan 22 2010 09:57 CET bySteve Pearson 1019 Views 2 Comments
­Sir

As an Englishman newly resident in Bulgaria and facing my first winter here, I must express some concerns about the state of your roads. At this time we have emphasis on recycling, with bins appearing all around and pleas to use them to help to "save the planet" coming from all sides. It therefore seems incongruous to see grit piling up at the side of all major roads and the problem this could cause.

This grit is itself becoming a road hazard –  especially at corners and bends – as any car straying for whatever reason onto the layer of grit loses grip and traction. I myself have experienced this possibly lethal effect.

Surely this grit could be "reclaimed" by being swept-up and reused in forthcoming years. Any expense would surely be offset by savings in the cost of new grit AND reduce mineral extraction and quarrying.

It leaves me wondering if the authorities have confused priorities –  but I am obviously reluctant to make accusations. Road markings also are in need of repainting – and not only on major roads: In the town of Shoumen, road markings are barely visible at junctions. Drivers and pedestrians are left to guess priorities – although the pedestrians invariably take second or last place.

The state of the road surfaces themselves are worrying enough in many places, but it is the danger caused by the piles of grit at the side of the road that causes me most worry.

Steve Pearson

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Comments

Anonymous Gordon Wed, Jan 27 2010 22:44 CET
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As more money comes through from the EU, things will slowly get better. Compare the road tax you pay in the UK to what you pay in BG. You get what you pay for. Especially in the country, you need to take 5 times more care than you do driving in the UK. I can tell you that it's getting better from when I first ever drove in BG in 1997. Adapt your driving to the conditions and never be in a hurry.

Anonymous jeff Fri, Jan 22 2010 18:03 CET
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good letter steve, recycling the grit, i think you will find most of it is mud from tractors and logging lorries, the most important job is pot holes, a never ending job here,
Ive been here five years and iam still waiting for it go get better


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