To avoid the constant digging up and filling in of holes in the road for the installation, repair and renewal of telephone, gas, electricity and water services, there should be permanent channels installed just under the pavement of cities, about one metre deep and 80cms wide.
To gain access, all that would be required would be to lift the paving slabs and replace them. In some cases, it would be possible to carry out inspections by crawling along without lifting many slabs. The slabs would be designed to allow plenty of ventilation by means of small gaps between them. The channel would be drained to avoid flooding.
Where major roads are crossed, slightly larger tunnels could be used to avoid any interference to the traffic. This would also enable the tarmac road surface to continue above the services.
A further advantage would be to enable the installation of new services. In Denmark, for instance, they have recently installed rubbish-burning plants that provide hot water which is piped to the houses.
I believe that such a scheme would be economic in itself, apart from the improvement in the quality of life that would be brought about by eliminating pneumatic drills and dangerous holes.
Nicholas Saunders, top floor, 14 Neal's Yard, London WC2H 9DP (tel 071 836 9404; fax 071 379 0135).