I'M writing with disgust and disappointment at the recent news that the Cutacre development has been approved for coal mining.

For 20 years many local residents and councillors have campaigned against this proposal and the added problems it would bring to the area.

Those in favour of the development clearly do not have a full appreciation of the increased noise and air pollution, along with the traffic congestion involved.

Only four years ago Frank Dobson visited the area, and gave "a cast iron guarantee that this sort of application in Over Hulton would not get the go ahead under a Labour Government".

He also said that if the proposal got turned down, then that would be it for a decade or so. Existing sites also needed a toughening of environmental controls (BEN, Monday, March 10, 1997).

So, four years on, what do we have? A Labour Government that again has proved itself to be untrustworthy and willing to say anything to get elected. It's poor consolation for those homeowners in the area whose house prices and quality of life is going to suffer due to this development.

I feel let down by Labour, and this has proved that although they are marketed as 'New Labour', they still have the same 'Old Lies!'

Mr R Nash

Heaton

Bolton