“The exact times and dates of Shropshire’s traffic survey could not have been revealed in advance because the data would not have been a true reflection as drivers would have used alternative routes.”

And with that statement – from Shropshire Council’s Phil Crossland – our beloved county confirms itself as the least motorist-friendly place in the Western world.

The county that believes roundabouts need traffic lights now thinks that drivers answering questions is more important than, say, getting to work.

Massive tailbacks were caused on the A5 this week as some people tried to work out if Shrewsbury needs another road. I think maybe it does. Then motorists will have somewhere to go so they can avoid the census takers blocking the other road.

I’m beginning to see why Hannibal Lecter decided to consume one with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

Yep, apparently the best way to work out if the North West Relief Road should be built – and let’s not forget here that the NWRR scheme dates back to the 1980s – is to stop a lot of people and ask them where they’re driving to and from.

I’ll tell you where people were driving to. Nowhere. They were too busy answering stupid questions.

And don’t think you could escape by being clever. Avoid the A5 by taking the old A5? No, no…we’ll do a survey there too!

I understand that surveys need to be held, but a lot of people were massively inconvenienced. People missed meetings. People missed hospital appointments. People missed crown court duty.

This cannot possibly be acceptable unless its one of those American-style roadblocks and you suspect one of the cars has a body in the boot.

I’m sorry, Shropshire Council, but you got it very, very wrong.

Somebody pass the red wine…ffffftttt ffffftttt ffffftttt ffffftttt ffffftttt