I WOULD like to suggest The Herald sponsors a nationwide competition to find the road in Scotland with the worst potholes. Perhaps the criteria could be based on the number of filled and unfilled potholes in a 20-yard continuous stretch of road; should a tie-breaker be required, this could be determined by the depth of one of the unfilled crevices. I would be happy to submit the first entry, a carnage on the Symington/Coodham back road, where, within the stipulated distance, there are 25 filled-in potholes and six craters, the deepest of which was nearly two inches.

I level no criticism on the Ayrshire Roads Alliance; whenever I complain potholes are quickly repaired. However, money is clearly in short supply; despite the potential dire consequences to the many car drivers and cyclists using this busy road, it apparently does not score high enough on the roads risk matrix from the Well Maintained Highways code of practice for highway maintenance to merit a more permanent solution. There is little one can do, but I wonder whether the cost of sending our First Minister to speak at a US college might be better spent on repairing our deteriorating roads.

Iain Tulloch,

Swallow Ha', Symington, Ayrshire.