WE hear that all residential streets and estates are to be fitted with humps and given 20mph speed limits, which once again proves that Cllr Guy Harkin and his Highways Committee regard Bolton motorists as "public enemy number one".

In reality, the vast majority of drivers already drive at low speeds in these areas. But now they are going to be penalised by suffering discomfort and delay driving over humps, some of which are so severe they could cause whiplash even at 15mph. Ask anyone who has driven along Highfield Road, Farnworth, for instance.

There is also the greatly increased pollution these measures are known to create.

One other real cause for concern is the way the larger roads and lanes are scheduled to be ramped, among them Ainsworth Lane, Lever Edge Lane, and even Smethurst Lane, a well-used link to the M61. The last two mentioned lanes also link Bradford Road and Plodder Lane, where both entrances to the Bolton Royal Hospital can be found. Roads and lanes like these are vital links connecting districts around Bolton, and are very important not just to the ordinary motorist, but also the emergency services, and I'm sure everyone knows delaying these vehicles could have dire consequences.

With this in mind, it would appear to me that this council's road calming measures could actually cost lives.

I would also like to add that I found the comments of Cllr Harkin when he was reported as saying if your car is damaged on these bumps, "tough, get your suspension raised", as arrogant and patronising.

I, along with vast majority of Bolton drivers, do not condone speeding or careless driving, but as community taxpayers, voters and residents, I think we are all entitled to far more consideration by the local council we helped to elect.

J Parker

Fair Street

Bolton