NO-ONE questions the need for occasional roadworks to maintain our highways or upgrade important services. And most people accept that if they live by or travel along a main road they will, from time to time, suffer some disruption as works are carried out.

But Pool-in-Wharfedale has, by anybody's standards, suffered disproportionately from roadworks and their consequences for years - and never worse than during the past week, when four or five-mile tailbacks of traffic have been seen stretching out of the village. Most feared the worst when YEDL announced its electricity power cable laying project for the airport, stretching from Pool to Yeadon, at the beginning of the year.

But it is only now, due to some blunder which resulted in two disruptive schemes (Leeds City Council have also been carrying out road improvements on Arthington Lane) taking place in the heart of Pool at the same time, that things have really come to a head.

The city council and YEDL may each blame each other and talk about it being 'unfortunate', but for those people waiting ages simply to get home or pass through the village (and those in surrounding places like Otley and Bramhope who have seen traffic escalate as a result) that's cold comfort. We're always hearing about 'multi-agency co-operation' and 'joined up thinking' and this was a classic situation where a co-ordinated approach could have saved a lot of disruption - but simply didn't happen.

BROAD plans for Otley Garnett's riverside site have been lodged with Leeds City Council this week. The housing, office and leisure development scheme for the prime more than 20 acres would see the major transformation of a large part of Otley.

More than 100 people have commented about the plans - a good response by anyone's standards - and a good majority thought it an 'exciting opportunity for the town'. Meanwhile, the company's employees can't share the enthusiasm. They will regard the possible redevelopment of their old employment site - despite their employers' reassurances - with some distress.