WE are just about ready for our six-year-old to return to school.

The new uniform has been purchased and ironed and Mrs Buhagiar is counting down the days.

I am sure it is the same across the country as people plan ahead for the end of the summer holidays.

It is just a shame that some local authorities cannot seem to do the same.

From Monday, September 6, Hertfordshire County Council will start a two-week resurfacing programme in King Harry Lane.

Work will start at 9.30pm and finish at 7.30pm every day.

Who came up with that idea?

Who thought: “Let’s wait until children return to school and then close one of the busiest roads in St Albans for two weeks?”

Can you imagine what traffic in the city will be like from 3pm until 7.30pm?

Ensuring that all areas of the city centre will suffer, diversions will take motorists up Holywell Hill or down Verulam Road.

It is a simple question, but I will ask it anyway: could this work not have been carried out during the summer holidays?

Yes, closing parts of King Harry Lane at any time of year would cause traffic problems, but at least it would be carried out when there is as little traffic on the roads as possible.

County council spokeswoman Lara Hejazi, handed the short straw of responding (where is a portfolio holder when you need one?) said: “We try wherever possible to schedule disruptive works during school holidays, but with over 3,000 miles of roads and a similar length of pavements to maintain it isn't possible to only carry out work during holidays.”

Yes, but surely this job should have been prioritised? With Prae Wood, St Columba's and Marlborough schools and Busybees nursery nearby, this is surely the worst road in the city to close when children are at school given the amount of people who use it.

It is going to be a fun fortnight and I am sure a few downpours will see workmen on site for three or maybe more weeks.

It makes you wonder what the county council would get in a school report at the end of the term?

Must try harder seems too kind.

Scarecrow Festival a great day out

Another year, another wonderful Scarecrow Festival. Those who contribute to the festival in Flamstead deserve a huge pat on the back.

These days, it is very rare to enjoy a fantastic family day out for such little expense.

Our six-year-old, Luke, was blown away by the interactive Dalek created by Andrew Lambourne while his little brother Lewis enjoyed a good sing-a-long with Buzz and Woody.

All of the scarecrows deserve a mention and I am sure plenty of evenings were spent painstakingly putting them together.

Well done to Andrew who won first prize, but congratulations to the people of Flamstead - the festival gets better every year.