I UNDERSTAND from the article in the Bolton Evening News (Friday July 23) that there are going to be major traffic problems because the council is to widen the link road between Lostock Lane and The Parklands roundabout.

Roadworks causing hold ups do not surprise me, or upset me, as I drive for a living and am regularly delayed.

One reason given for the work is to improve the bus route to the new terminus at Parklands. For how many buses? Maybe a couple each hour.

Another reason given is to improve traffic flow in case of any possible expansion of the British Aerospace site. Many years ago Aerospace employed many thousands of people. They didn't widen the road then. Does the council know of some major development coming to the Lostock area, or is it just another way for the council to spend our money?

But what I really find disgusting about the widening of the road is that it is not needed and that the area around the dual carriageway has recently been planted out with many young trees on both sides of the road and also in the centre island -- at, no doubt, great cost to the local taxpayer.

It has greatly improved the area around the road which, for years, has been quite a mess.

Does this mean that, when the work starts, these trees will have to be moved or chopped down to make way for the roadworks? What a waste.

Does the council have money to waste that it allows these young trees to be planted and then ripped up in the same year?

In my opinion, there are many other areas where they could improve the road network in the Bolton area -- Tonge Moor Road and Darwen Road near the Royal Oak pub, which is constantly a bottle-neck at peak times. Also, the junction near the Asda supermarket on Blackburn Road and Crompton Way, to name just two sites.

I'm sure that local people could name many more areas that are in greater need of improvement.

Philip Breckell

Barlow Street

Horwich