I DO not wish to enter into prolonged dialogue with John Farrer, but I do need to correct some points he made (Letters, June 27).

It is not clear whether he is in favour of improved public transport for Hyndburn or the positive partnership between the county council, Stagecoach Ribble and Hyndurn Council.

We are doing our best to improve public transport for people across Lancashire and I hope to see in Hyndburn the excellent results we already have with the Preston Quality Bus scheme, where journey times and service reliability have been significantly improved and passenger numbers are already up by 15 per cent.

Secondly, I would like to clarify that the meeting from which Mr Farrer's 'colleagues' walked out was the same meeting where ex-Councillor Adrian Shurmer presented his own exam paper on traffic issues for everyone to fill in.

I refute the suggestion that I, or any other county council representative, believe that consultation is a 'hindrance' that is 'usually ignored.' The county council goes to great lengths to consult on a wide range of issues and values the contributions made.

The meeting in question was called because Hyndburn Council lost 12 months of funding for much-needed highways works because of ex-Councillor Shurmer's intervention. Good working relationships have now been re-established between Hyndburn and the county council.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR RICHARD TOON, (chairman highways and transportation committee, Lancashire County Council), Pear Tree Avenue, Coppull, Chorley.