Mention footpath and our cup of collective cynicism runneth over. Yet Corporation of Chennai (CoC) seems determined to prove us wrong. CoC has identified 60 bus route roads in the city and around 170 km in the newly-added areas to upgrade street facilities to world class standards.

Sceptical? Anecdotally, 80 per cent of our footpaths have no real encroachments. They are just badly designed and maintained and can be set right. 10 per cent have obstacles that can be removed and the rest have serious encroachments. Is 90 per cent a good start?

A PARTIALLY-sighted York man has finally got a job after being out-of-work for 12 months – now he is pleading for other people with sight problems to be given the same chance.

Steve Butler, 34, of Tang Hall, had been finding that sight loss was a major barrier to employment, despite having a number of administration qualifications and working in voluntary positions.

He said he was losing his confidence, fearing every time an employer realised he was visually impaired, they would find a reason not to interview him.