IT seems that my recent letter re Moss Bank Way has raised James Whelan's hackles.

By using such words as 'fighting' and 'extremely infuriating', it suggests to me that he is a very impatient driver, worse still, he wants drivers in front of him to break the operating speed limits; that is a very foolish statement, Mr Whelan.

I stand by every word I have written, and reiterate that safety is the most important factor and not speed.

I accept that during my many years of retirement, my annual mileage is around 5000, involving trips to Bolton, Radcliffe, Chorley, Wigan and Blackburn for shopping purposes, so I am not just a Sunday afternoon driver.

For further enlightenment, Mr Whelan, I have only one motoring offence recorded against my name which was for speeding (37mph) in 1970. The offence occurred on London Road, Preston, which has quite a gradient. Furthermore, I have never had a claim made against me during my 40 years of driving, and, before I forget, I travelled from Bury to Horwich during the years 1962 until 1982 when I retired from work.

I contend that I have a very good driving record, which I wonder if Mr Whelan can match.

That record has been achieved by careful and considerate driving involving patience. I commend these virtues to all drivers, particularly those who use Moss Bank Way on a regular basis.

Mr J Holding

Stocks Park Drive

Horwich