THE A36 continues to take its toll. Responsibility for roads in our area is split between the Highways Agency, a function of central government, and Wiltshire Council.

The A36 is the Highways Agency’s problem. So I’ve written to it to suggest we hold a public meeting in one of the villages along the A36, at which it can hear the concerns of local people and their representatives and outline what it plans to do.

I feel strongly that it should be focusing on safety improvements which are achievable, within a realistic timeframe, to the trunk roads in our area – the A36, A350 and A303 – rather than, for example, turning the A303 into a dual carriageway from start to finish.

I can see the advantage of the latter to the far West Country but its potential benefits to Wiltshire, its attractiveness and attractions are rather less obvious, notably at Stonehenge.

* I have had lots of correspondence about wind turbines, in particular the proposals for a wind farm near the village of West Ashton near the Westbury White Horse.

I’ve long opposed onshore wind turbines because they trash the countryside, are not viable without a subsidy from your fuel bill and mine and because, in promoting a greener future, they are largely tokenistic.

I am very pleased the coalition government is reining back on onshore turbines and is looking more imaginatively at how we can achieve a reliable energy future that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels while keeping the lights on.

* Two years of debate has been launched on the future of the UK as Scotland prepares for its referendum on independence in 2014.

Bannockburn was 698 years ago this week. We can expect the 700th anniversary to be bigged up by the nationalists. I hope they fail decisively, since separation would be an inestimable tragedy for all of us.

* It was a great pleasure to do the honours at the Wiltshire Jazz Festival in Dinton during a rare window of glorious sunny weather. It’s clear the arts are flourishing in our corner of England.