Such is the way of the world now. Why do the train companies want to do away with guards on trains ? - because it costs money and 90% of the time the guard isn't necessary...the 10% doesn't matter...I deal with Councils everyday and it is always the same. Getting the direct line of an employee is like the holy grail. And, even then, getting that employee is answer their phone can be another matter altogether - many times I have come across Officers whose phone is permanently on voice mail and they may or may not ever return messages.Council switchboards are intended to minimise the time Officers have to speak to people, much easier for a switchboard operator to just say "right, send an email to this generic departmental email address and we'll respond within our target time of 10 working days".No commercial business could operate that way, but that's how it is.
Adam Beamish ● 2044d