IT IS rare for an issue to arise which bridges the political divide, but the full or partial closure of five Thames crossings right across the capital is one of those issues.

It beggars belief that no one thought closure of these crossings would cause anything other than chaos. Or worse, if they did think about it and went ahead anyway, what use are they?

Every sensible person realises that engineering work needs to be done - but all at the same time? Surely not.

This situation is a major cause of stress to London's motorists and a major embarrassment to those who scheduled the work. It must never be allowed to happen again.

RICHARD TRACEY AM London Assembly Conservative Group transport spokesman