Er, Nigel, my very few neighbours are all farmers with big tractors, 4x4s and quad bikes and didn't give a stuff about the dug-up lane, they stood to gain from the work being done, and yes, I did discuss the whole thing fully with them as the construction works were ongoing. I, on the other hand, with my G-reg Nissan Micra was far more vulnerable. The company in question knew full well that I was the only one complaining or likely to complain, which is precisely why they thought they could get away with treating me, a minority of one, so shabbily (which they eventually admitted). As I stated in my original post, I didn't exactly megaphone the thing around town. For your benefit, I'll be a bit more precise: this affair took place in 2002. The first time I mentioned it to any of my very few neighbours was late last year when I told the old farmer, now retired, about it, and we had a good laugh. It's true that I didn't feel bound by a signature that was designed to protect a negligent company from embarrassment and I'm holding to that; the amount they paid to me represented their getting away very lightly, and we fully deserved to be compensated with no strings attached. I suppose that, had I crowed about it at the time, they'd have wanted their money back. But they won't be fretting sleeplessly in their beds tonight. You see, Nige, I didn't tell you everything about the incident, and I still haven't told you everything, but you still rushed to judgement and even managed, disappointingly, to get Mr McGlade onside. It would help if you refrained from calling non-liars liars, by the way. You do appear to be a bitter fellow. Have a nice cup of tea and a Penguin is my advice.