REGARDING your recent article; the resurfacing of Matchmoor Lane in Horwich.

While I agree that this road was in a poor state and needed attention and with Cllr McKeon’s own words “there are only a few residents in that area of Horwich” who use this road, I disagree with why it has had to take precedence over other more intensively used areas in my ward.

I refer to the shocking state of many of Blackrod’s roads and to the “abysmal” state of the streets of the Railway terraces in Horwich.

I have met with many residents in the past few days living in these historic homes, which many elder residents tell me they used to take pride in living in.

However, nowadays, the streets are ravaged with huge holes almost everywhere.

Why the beautiful cobbles were covered with asphalt in the first place is both interesting and in my opinion bizarre, as cobbles would help to slow down vehicles using these sloping streets and therefore be a benefit.

Several residents would really like the cobbles to be returned, as indeed befits the history of these homes, that were once for the Railway workers (just like the cobbles left undisturbed in Le Mans Crescent do for the history and aesthetics of Bolton town centre).

This area of Horwich is one of the most deprived I have seen.

Residents tell me they are sick of not being listened to by the Labour-controlled council; have repeatedly reported anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, litter and drug dealing in the back streets and alley ways.

Their concerns, they tell me, have fallen on deaf ears.

Vermin is now becoming a common site and even the local postman reports seeing rats while delivering the mail.

It seems that these, once very proud streets have become history and forgotten about.

This area, Cllr McKeon, should have seen some of that £500,000 for road repairs before it was awarded to your ward.

Cllr Susan Baines

Bolton Ward

Horwich and Blackrod