COUN Ian Bevan’s letter about potholes (LT, March 22) was a masterpiece in claiming interest in a local issue while doing nothing to explain why this is happening or doing anything about it.

He claims residents in Ramsbottom are raising their concerns about the state of the roads. When dealing with this on the doorstep, I wonder why Coun Bevan didn’t explain to residents that the council had recently been trialling new, more efficient pothole repairing equipment and would be purchasing the most appropriate machine soon. This will reduce the waiting times and the number of re-repairs.

He also might have suggested that those people on the doorstep contact the council about the problem so it could be dealt with, or maybe even offer to contact the council for them. After all, as a councillor, he should be aware of these developments. Instead of doing something positive, Coun Bevan decided to write a letter that misleads the public in Ramsbottom. Firstly, he mentions the lowering of the highways budget and blames the local Labour-run council for this, without mentioning the fact that the council is struggling to deal with a cut of £57 million from the Conservative-run central Government (approximately 50 per cent of the controllable budget in the next five years).

He then states that the council should spend £2million from its reserves when, as a councillor, he should know that the reserves are required in case of emergenciess. Spending the reserves on current pothole problems would be economically irresponsible.

If he was serious about getting more money for road maintenance, he would join with the Labour group and campaign for the Conservative-led Government to increase central government spending.

Ramsbottom needs people who stand up for the people and not political opportunists.

G Jacobs, Ramsbottom.