Danger signs

The negative is whether it could – and should – do more to grit the trunk road and motorway network during inclement weather, and the

body's lack of financial awareness highlighted today.

Like so many public sector organisations, the fundamental fault is a familiar one: It has little comprehension that it is funded by the long-suffering taxpayer.

For, while it could be argued, with some justification, that more needs to be spent on outstanding road schemes, the Highways Agency is still required to use its resources wisely. Wider financial pressures offer no immunity from this necessity.

As such, the Agency has to raise its game. It's alarming that its managers do not understand how the costs of road resurfacing have increased. It is also perturbing that this supposedly responsible employer does not record up-to-date information on injuries sustained by its workers.

These failures are not tolerated in private industry. Why, therefore, should the public sector be any different?