So the government has announced that it will spend a large lump of our cash on replacing the mini roundabouts at Union Corner with one big one.

It is hard to turn down anything that would help solve the traffic problems in Cornwall, where we have for many years tried to fit a pint of cars into a half pint pot of roads.

But a quick trip out to the site today, at 3pm when the school run should be kicking off, found that there was not a single car waiting, and certainly no queues.

Now I have been called a cynic before, and not without reason, but the question has to be asked, why there?

I pass through the junction every day and while there are sometimes small delays, it is not dramatic. What it is however, is a key planning issue relating to the long planned expansion of Falmouth into Budock.

Without improvments this massive scheme would face problems, but here is the rub, with all these extra houses for people coming from outside of Cornwall, surely the rise in traffic levels will offset any advantage?

Answers on a postcard, so to speak.

No column from your pal the Skipper would be complete without a little look at County Hall.

This week we have been treated to a statement of aims by the new cabinet, and it certainly makes fine principled reading. The new broom certainly seems to be sweeping.

But a word of caution for those flush with newfound power and zeal, be careful what you promise, it will make it easier when the backstabbing and backtracking starts.