I NOTICE that approval has been reached for the new accident and emergency unit to be based at Fairfield General Hospital, and this is only to be applauded.

Can we therefore assume that the ridiculous narrowing of Rochdale Old Road, which is much busier than many B-roads, will now be reversed and that all on-street parking up to Jericho will be stopped. This would allow unimpeded access for ambulances carrying patients who could only have minutes to live if they do not have immediate hospital treatment.

The present obstacle course may calm traffic but it also introduces other hazards, not least of which is that to cyclists travelling up the hill have to move out into the carriageway. And anyway, from The Famous Gamecock Inn to Jericho, most vehicles are parked illegally with two wheels - sometimes quite considerably - on the footpath.

Perhaps some sense will prevail at the town hall.

R. TURNER,

Bamford Close,

Jericho, Bury.

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