Do we really need patchwork roadworks?

The aura of the sound surrounding the roads in Rotherham is an orchestra of jolting car suspensions, clattering trailers and wincing motorists.

So, you would think I would be over the moon to hear that extensive road modifications are well underway in our town — the concept of not having a bad back from many bumpy car journeys should be reason enough for me to rejoice.

However, the shape our roads seem to be taking doesn’t fill me with joy — instead it fills me with more of a sinking feeling of dread.

Firstly, I appreciate all the hard work that goes into the maintenance of the roads. The potholes remain to be potholes and not ditches.

The roadside grass is cut regularly (and its clippings often left to rot upon it) and the streetlights are always functional and bright.

So what is it that gets me frustrated about the roads?

Allow me to begin on the subject of road repair. The fact that there is road repair is something that must be credited.

It’s nice to always know that you’ll be able to drive somewhere without worrying what unpredictable and potentially massive danger may be sprung upon you around the next corner.

However, there is something wrong — the way it looks. My idea of the perfect road is a smooth, light grey surface, fortified by neat straight kerbs and crisply painted road markings.

In reality, our roads’ aesthetics are quite different. Our roads have been built up and expanded in all different types of materials, resulting in a hotch-potch, patchwork of roadway, usually providing a spine-breaking transition as you move from light grey to dark grey, or toffee brown to jet black. It looks messy to say the least.

One moment you are breezing along a smooth, light grey road, listening to the gentle drum of the engine when suddenly your eardrums are plunged into a torturous drone as your car crosses onto an oily, black and rickety road.

Why do we need all these different road surfaces and colours? Are they trying to test which one is best?

Maybe it’s just a “use whatever you can find” operation.

On the other hand, I suppose if the smooth, toffee brown road is too expensive, it makes sense to go with a more affordable option.

I am well aware that the council has a budget.

The first annoying aspect of road modification is the ever increasing number of crossings that keep popping up right, left and centre. There’s so many that pedestrians are spoiled for choice when it comes to crossing the road.

There are more serious problems facing today’s world, but this one affects us all. Whether you walk to school, catch the bus to work or even drive a luxury car, the roads seem to be out to get you.

We live in a world of broken, shaky and multicoloured roads, but, I suppose we’ll just have to live with it...

Andrew James Martin, Thrybergh (sixth form student at Wickersley School and Sports College)