I NOTE that once again a Labour councillor is highlighting the number of potholes and the need to re-surface a road in their ward.

In this case I cannot dispute Councillor McKeon’s claims about the state of Matchmoor Lane. It is, as he says, in an “abysmal state”.

What a pity that he and his Labour colleagues, sadly supported by Liberal Democrat and UKIP councillors, voted against Conservative budget plans to allocate an extra £50,000 for pothole repairs to each ward area forum.

Using just a small part of the £140 million Bolton council has in reserves this would have enabled ward councillors to have more potholes repaired in their ward.

In Astley Bridge we could for example then have had repairs to a major estate access road like Thornham Drive which is used daily by buses and hundreds of residents.

It begs the question, just where do councillors' priorities lie?

Councillor John Walsh OBE

Astley Bridge Ward

Bolton MBC