More unaccountable officials

Residents in Dobwalls, Cornwall, wanted to spruce up a new roundabout - which is covered in weeds - with several colourful species of flower.

However, when the parish council wrote to the Highways Agency it was told the plants could catch the eye of passing drivers - and cause an accident.

The council chairman said:

We wanted to put some flowers in because the thing is covered in weeds. It is a terrible eyesore.

But we were told it would be a distraction to drivers and might cause health and safety issues. We just wanted to make it presentable.

It looks totally unfinished - there's plenty of roundabouts with plants and trees on. It is stupid.

A spokesman for the Highways Agency said:

The main issue is one of safety. As a rule our policy is not to plant or construct anything that could cause a distraction.

These is also an issue of maintenance and access to think about. We have planted low maintenance grass on the roundabout.

What we should care about is how these unelected, unaccountable, invisible officials get away with making these pettiflogging rules.

How many accidents have been caused by flowers on roundabouts? There is no forum where these people can be challenged, where their taxpayer paymasters can have their say. They are invisible judges and juries in their own cause.

More power to the elected parish council.