THIS photograph was taken in March 1970 and shows a problem on the pavement outside Bolton's Institute of Technology.

Apparently a huge puddle was forcing old people and mothers with prams to walk in the road among busy Derby Street traffic.

The only alternative was to step on the grass surrounds of the Institute's grounds.

Mr Harry Crompton, who owned a shop opposite the offending puddle, complained to Bolton Borough's engineering department for six months because the water was there, almost permanently, he said.

Borough engineer Geoffrey Read said the pavement was due to be repaired within the following two weeks.

Mr Crompton was worried the water was going to cause an accident in Derby Street and he said the dip in the pavement had been caused when the flags were taken up during the building of the Institute — and they had never been put back.

Most of the remaining pavement had been laid with tarmac but it stopped just short of this particular patch that was causing massive problems for pedestrians in this area.