BEN reader 'Name and address Supplied' suggests that Wigan would be the main beneficiary of the A5225 bypass.

'Name and Address supplied' obviously does not reside anywhere near Daisy Hill, else he/she would not come out with such a ridiculous statement. The fact remains, on most mornings it takes me 20 minutes just to get out of Westhoughton. An improved public transport system would not benefit me as I frequently travel around Manchester and Liverpool through work and need my car. Besides, the fact that Joe Public is loathe to pay higher rates of taxation means that, when the pot of money is shared out between schools, hospitals and the police, very little is left for public transport -- certainly not enough to tackle the problems sufficiently.

The basic fact remains that, while Wigan has been busy working to get their share of the bypass sorted, Bolton Council has done nothing. The Liberal Democrats, who control Westhoughton, opposed the bypass without even listening to the seriousness of the situation we face. Unless they refrain from continuing their NIMBY attitudes and Bolton gets off its backside, residents in Daisy Hill will be faced with a nightmare situation every morning, which will only get worse.

As a resident, I am very frustrated that people who we elect are not listening to our cries for help and instead are intent on pursuing their own dogmatic agendas. I am pleased that Ruth Kelly raised the issue and hope that our other politicians can put their political allegiances aside and work together to tackle the problems we face.

P Howarth

Old Vicarage

Daisy Hill

Westhoughton