CLLR Roger Hayes, the deputy leader of Bolton Council, invites readers to highlight examples of the waste of council taxpayers' money.

He promises that, in his words: "We will investigate thoroughly and take appropriate action."

I wonder if I may begin with an example which is within Smithills ward, which Cllr Hayes represents. The footpath and kerbs along Chorley Old Road, opposite Old Links Golf Club, are currently being ripped up by council contractors and expensive new kerbs fitted.

This is on a footpath little used compared to many, fronting onto fields and with no houses nearby. In the main the footpath was in pretty good condition before work began two weeks ago.

Just a few hundred yards away, around the Heaton Avenue/Thornbeck Avenue area, also in Cllr Hayes' ward, the footpaths are in a terrible condition. Flagstones in this area are broken and uneven. The difference is that in this area, like in the Whitegate Drive and Whitehill Lane areas of my ward of Astley Bridge, the broken footpaths are on roads with houses and many elderly residents who risk tripping every time they go out. The list across Bolton is endless.

The question is, just where do Liberal Democrat priorities lie?

All this waste in the very week when councillors have been warned by the director of finance that council tax could rise by around 15 per cent.

By the way, Cllr Hayes, don't try to say the work was ordered by the previous Labour administration. You are now the responsible member and I look forward to your answer and details of the "appropriate action".

Cllr John Walsh OBE

Astley Bridge Ward