IN answer to Cllr Woodward's comments regarding the building of flats on Fletcher Street.

One has to welcome the development of this land as it has been an eyesore for many years now. For many years it was home to the Salvation Army in Little Lever, and in more recent times a snooker hall. When the snooker hall failed some years ago, the building fell into disrepair. Youths started hanging around in it, some taking drugs, others setting off fires in the building.

I do not agree that the building of these flats will, however, stop the congregation of youths on the path at the rear of this land which backs on to property on Aintree Road.

The path will have to remain, as it is a public footpath. All you will do is create a footpath on which youths will be hidden from the view of everyone else. The introduction of security lighting at the rear of these flats will not in any way deter them from hanging around.

What clearly needs to be done in Little Lever is to eradicate once and for all the problem of youths causing annoyance to residents.

The police clearly have powers to deal with this since the Government brought in laws. So, as the general public, we should all pester the police as much as possible until this matter has been eradicated.

We should also look at setting up a working party with these youths to find out how we solve the problem. For those who do not change their ways, then bring on to them the full weight of the law.

Sean Hornby

Marsh Road

Little Lever

Bolton

The building and land were owned by the same person who owns property on Ashton Street, which is now in a state of extreme disrepair. The Bolton Evening News covered this last year when parts of it fell down, but to date the property is still in the same condition.