I GATHER work will soon begin on Bolton's Newport Street continental walkway, or boulevard, as some prefer.

I wonder what trees will replace those already destroyed? Trees should make up a fair percentage of all development in towns and cities throughout the country.

There are frequent Bolton News snippets of requests for tree trimmings and removals. Bolton council removed the Newport Street trees at a whim. What trees, if any, will replace them?

One hoped for real species, not ornamental specimens. Trees need to be part of our urban as well as rural landscape.

Leverhulme Park is showing wonderful results for the 'Plant a Tree in '73' national tree planting campaign. Empty areas around the country were transformed into fantastic woodland spaces.

This was planting for the future and many of those involved would not see the results of their efforts.

Now we look froward to seeing woodland areas being developed around Smithills Moors.

Trees should also be part of our townscape. I hope Bolton does not concentrate on cinemas or Town Hall coffee bars.

My walks with friends are often along canal pathways or through ex industrial areas, where Nature and Man have combined to produce beautiful natural resources of water, trees and mixed grasslands.

. Even the ex Odeon, the ex Tech College and soon to be closed Moor Lane Bus station are possible future natural spaces.

Or are they awaiting transformation into price-hiking student blocks?

David Sharples

Tarbet Drive

Breightmet