I ACTUALLY laughed out loud upon reading the "one-way traffic in Bolton" article. Another nail pounded into the coffin of Bolton's appeal and accessibility.

The council may as well put up signs, "Bolton no longer wants your business, go to your nearest out-of-town retail park". At least this direct approach would be a lot less painful (and cost a lot less money) than killing the town with the bizarre projects of the last few years. Narrowing dual carriageways, over zealous traffic wardens and countless speed humps to name a few.

The future development plans for Bolton do look grand. But alienating anyone who lives in the area and taking away the things that made Bolton that bit different (Market Place anyone?) smacks of retail suicide. The council seems to be promising the earth, yet driving away the current patrons of Bolton. I love my home town, and the planned redevelopments have been a long time coming. However, making it an inaccessible, expensive and indistinguishable place to visit can't be the way forward - can it?

S Massey, Bromley Cross, Bolton