Advantage of 4x4s on our roads

I cannot see why people are opposed to 4x4 vehicles. They cause far less damage to road surfaces as they have better grip than 2x4 cars, especially on country lanes which are never swept by the council.

The reason rural roads wear more than main roads, despite their lower vehicle numbers, is that all the loose stones, mud and leaves left on the surfaces act like a grinding abrasive, and two-wheel drive cars and lorries lose their adhesion on the debris, resulting in premature wear and potholes.

By scrimping on road sweeping, the councils have to renew country lane surfaces twice as often as they would if they kept them free of debris.

Mr W F Kerswell, Picklescott