THE story "Rising costs put fell race under threat" in The Bolton News on Saturday, April 7, relating to the rise of the road closure cost, levied by the council for the Rivington Pike Fell Race, highlighted an issue of importance to many local people.

There is cost involved when drawing up and advertising an official Road Closure Order under the Road Traffic Regulation (Special Events) Act of 1994 (Section 16A). It is the dramatic increase in the cost for the provision of the order that is the issue.

The letter sent in by fellow Horwich RMI Harrier Janet Rashleigh, which appeared in Wednesday's Letters section of the paper, whilst written with the best of intentions and highlighting the issue of costs, was not altogether correct.

She put the increased bill for closing the small section of road involved, namely Lever Park Avenue, down to police costs.

Horwich RMI Harriers and the Rivington Pike Fell Race organising committee wish to make it quite clear that in no way is this issue a matter relating to policing costs.

On the contrary, Bolton police officers managed the roads for this year's race - something that they are not required to do, or insist on - completely free of charge. Indeed, the police have been in attendance at the Pike Race, whenever possible, for more than 50 years and at no cost to the event.

The Horwich RMI Harriers are extremely grateful to the police for their assistance in this way.

Local events such as the Pike Race are an important part of our community's heritage and well worth preserving. The cost of applying for the necessary Road Closure Order for the event is, I'm sure, something that will be considered by all of the involved parties in the coming months.

Gareth Hughes, Horwich RMI Harriers Press Officer