SIR: Might I be allowed to comment on the proposed retail outlet at Longcauseway/Old Hall Street which is a separate issue to Singing Clough.

Can I be so bold as to say another retail outlet in our area is not the answer to solving our problems. There are already four within a few minutes' walk of each other. I think by now the council are aware of this and the knock on effect it would have on small shops and businesses plus the 400 car spaces which would be needed, the loading and unloading space required, not to mention the traffic impact and pollution. It would clog up the roads and motorway system which are clogged up now at peak times. Does this not contradict the clean air policy? Nothing has been said about the 26 companies which would be affected, employing 92 people. These figures are correct. Are these people not to have a say in their welfare? They have never been informed, nor have the residents around the proposed outlet - only the selected few.

So why doesn't the council take the recent advice of their independent retail consultants they employed at a cost of nearly £50,000, who said we have sufficient retail outlets in the Bolton Metropolitan Borough area at this present time. Has council tax money been wasted?

Mr Bill Collison

Bolton Road, Kearsley

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