Sir.-I write as one of many thousands of road users inconvenienced by the roadworks on the A340 at Tadley.

I am at a loss to understand what is taking so long on what is a relatively short piece of road.

The original completion date was expected to be 20 weeks from July 2004.

This has come and gone, with the prospect of many more weeks of diversions, road closures and long tailbacks at traffic lights.

I understand that there are no penalty clauses in the contract that was awarded.

Who on earth sanctioned such a contract in this day and age?

-Lynne Stewart, Meon Close, Tadley.