IT seems my precious comments regarding the Leigh busway have irked K.A. Howcroft somewhat, for which I make no apology.

I am entitled to my views, the same as everybody is. He, or more precisely GMPTE, have asked the questions, I cannot help it if they don't like the answers.

I think I can safely say I have spoken to more people about the busway and the possible alternatives, then K.A. Howcroft realises, and as to their questions not being loaded, come off it K.A. Howcroft, you have not asked what would the people like to see in terms of public transport locally. You have, and I repeat, foisted this busway upon them, got the thumbs down, come up with the same tarted up idea again, and because it has again been rejected, are upset that we should dare oppose the GMPTE.

True, permission to build the busway is not the GMPTE's to grant, but it is the one being pursued, against the wishes of the people who those democratically elected councillors of the GMPTE are answerable to.

And who says greater numbers will use a busway as against a much faster rail link? Go to Atherton station on any weekday morning and witness the appalling overcrowding on services to Manchester which, I might add, contravenes safety regulations. Then if you wish, travel by car or bus in to Manchester from Leigh and be stuck on the A580, a route upon which one lane will be allocated to bus only use from its M60 intersection should the busway be built.

Yes, K.A. Howcroft, D.J. Sweeney does think he knows a lot about what would make people leave their cars and transfer to public transport and it isn't a busway. People want fast transport links, not one which has to compete with the rest of the road transport for the same space. The railways are by no means perfect and indeed the privatised companies need a good shaking up to fulfil their obligations, but the bus services and their asset stripping leave much to be desired.

On the other hand, those services operated by Jim Stones, whose buses are always clean, run to time and drivers are always friendly, are an example to how public services should be run. First Bus/First North West Trains take note.

D.J.Sweeney

Leigh

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