X-Zsender: neil.morgan@zetnet.co.uk

Date: Tue, 30 Sep 1997 23:43:26 +0100

To: ben_edit@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk

From: Neil Morgan

Subject: the stadium Whinge away I feel sorry for all of you living near the new football stadium. I don't blame you for 'whinging' as the Burnden locals put it. Make yourselves heard now whilst you are still being listened to. We had to put up with all the hassle for years with no help from the council.

I had to laugh at the comment in one article that now the fans know their way around the car park they will find it easier next time. Does Bolton always play against the same opponent?

When I moved to Great Lever around 14 years ago I thought we were far enough away from the Burnden ground not to suffer. I was wrong. Every other Saturday during the official football season and well beyond I couldn t use my car to pop out for an hour or two because I knew I wouldn t be able to park when I returned. The visitors weren't bothered about preventing the local residents from parking.

It wasn't just Saturday either. Don't forget the mid week matches.

Every cloud has a silver lining. I'm really pleased at the upgrading of the junctions near the new ground.

The people involved in planning the new stadium should have been well aware of all the predictable problems. The rail station deal should have contained a penalty clause to ensure it was in operation before the stadium opened. The land surrounding the stadium should have been prepared to take all the cars and coaches. What is going to happen when the other businesses are built at the site?

I am truly sorry for the people living in Horwich but I am even more relieved that the stadium is no longer in my back yard.

A Great Lever resident

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.