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Again, we went on holiday just before last Christmas, to a 2nd world country, where the roads were in so much better condition than here.
I just don't understand it.

What did they say when you asked?

PS the council resurfaced the road I live on a few months ago, lovely job - smooth and level

I had hoped others than a regular poster might have replied.
However, there you go, so to answer you, borrowing by the previous President.
From China with the result that China is now mining copper in Ecuador.
Our Ecuadorian guide was scathing about all their politicians, the current lot being as corrupt as the previous lot.
This is prevalent everywhere we travel, tour guides being honest about the political situation in their countries. We've not been anywhere where a guide has praised their political situation.
Your road, we should be so lucky, it's pothole hell here. Poorly filled and then pothole again. Some company gets paid for this rubbish too.
Btw, the China stuff, quite why we in the West are happy to allow the economic colonisation of the second world I don't understand.
Then, it would appear we, or rather our politicians, are happy to allow China to economically colonise us.
Oh well, it's history as power moves East to West and back to East.

I've travelled in Colombia and Ecuador for over 6 months in the last 3 years.I heartily endorse what WG said. City streets in Colombia are often not great - potholes and obstructions, but their out of town roads, dual carriageways, are quite a bit better. Given they have the Andes to contend with, they're downright impressive. Fabulous engineering. Ecuador, though I have less experience, had smooth and pleasant roads.

When you look at these countries and then the infrastructure of Western European countries too, it's impossible to avoid the conclusion that Britain has been badly let down by it's leaders over a long period of time. We're not even second rate these days.

BobG

BobG wrote:I've travelled in Colombia and Ecuador for over 6 months in the last 3 years.I heartily endorse what WG said. City streets in Colombia are often not great - potholes and obstructions, but their out of town roads, dual carriageways, are quite a bit better. Given they have the Andes to contend with, they're downright impressive. Fabulous engineering. Ecuador, though I have less experience, had smooth and pleasant roads.

When you look at these countries and then the infrastructure of Western European countries too, it's impossible to avoid the conclusion that Britain has been badly let down by it's leaders over a long period of time. We're not even second rate these days.

BobG

Very true about the roads in Colombia. I’ been there 3 times in the last 18 months. The mountain roads through the Andes from town to town are very impressive. A bonus is the spectacular scenery. However on some hairpins there can be long delays as two articulated lorries try to get round them at the same time. On my last visit it took nearly an hour for the lorries to.sort themselves out. There is usually only one road from town to town so no alternative roads you just have to wait it out. Colombians are more laid back than here so calmly wait.

Yes. Another thing I've noticed about driving in Colombia is that, no matter what the provocation, nobody ever, ever gets road rage. Clowns turning right from the left hand lane, clowns cutting you up really very severely, clowns driving without any lights at all in the dead of night, clowns showing red lights at the front, none of it ever makes anybody lose their cool. Very impressive.

BobG

BobG wrote:Yes. Another thing I've noticed about driving in Colombia is that, no matter what the provocation, nobody ever, ever gets road rage. Clowns turning right from the left hand lane, clowns cutting you up really very severely, clowns driving without any lights at all in the dead of night, clowns showing red lights at the front, none of it ever makes anybody lose their cool. Very impressive.

BobG

That is very true and as for all the motorbikes!!!! the way they ride often with mum and dad with a child between them weaving in and out of traffic. Most days I saw a motorcycle accident. Most can't afford insurance although a legal requirement.

Aye. I've seen some terrible sights resulting from motor bike accidents. Not neccesarily speed related either. No. Dodging in and out of city traffic seems to be the cause most often. But what really gets me is the sight of girls riding pillion with not only no helmet but also nothing whatever on their arms and their legs. I know the air temperature isn't like that here, but they obviously have no idea of the permanent damage that even a slight slide along the road surface will do. And then, because there are plenty of good looking girls around, they're often abandoned by the guys. With no social security and no support beyond family, their future then ain't so rosy.

BobG

BobG wrote:Aye. I've seen some terrible sights resulting from motor bike accidents. Not neccesarily speed related either. No. Dodging in and out of city traffic seems to be the cause most often. But what really gets me is the sight of girls riding pillion with not only no helmet but also nothing whatever on their arms and their legs. I know the air temperature isn't like that here, but they obviously have no idea of the permanent damage that even a slight slide along the road surface will do. And then, because there are plenty of good looking girls around, they're often abandoned by the guys. With no social security and no support beyond family, their future then ain't so rosy.

BobG

I fully agree. I have had the same thoughts. I have known 3 people personally who have had motorbike accidents and ended up in hospital. Sadly in Colombia many girls have to rely on their good looks for survival. The situation for them saddens me.

My friend in Ibague has been out looking for a job. She has had to walk everywhere to save money. Last Tuesday she was crossing a street after having waited for the lights to change appropriately. As she crossed a motor bike shot the lights - and hit her. She lost consciousness. Woke up in hospital with various bruises, cuts and bangs, and, a badly broken ankle. The motorcyclist had buggered off. Nobody had the wit to to note down any details . The hospital put a plaster cast on her left leg but did not fix the ankle. It needs pins. To do that operation will cost 49.6 million pesos. That's £8,000, her insurance will pay 70% of that cost. She has to find the rest. And that is an impossibility. So her choices are live the rest of her life with a smashed ankle nd therefore no job and no home and no food as a result of that, or, beg, borrow and steal. She is one of the lucky ones though. Her family have found 7 million pesos and I've volunteered the other 7 million she needs. The operation is this Thursday - March 13th. her future still isn't good though. How is she going to pay her rent at the end of this month?

Motor cyclists in Colombia are a public menace. They are a menace to themselves; they are a menace to their passengers and they are a menace to the public at large. if you ever visit the country, be warned! It's a nice country with nice people, but it is in no way the same as western Europe. Life is cheap

BobG