IN response to The Boton News' online pothole campaign. I do have some sympathy with the Highways Department, as they are severely underfunded to carry out sufficient repairs to the roads within the borough.

The road network is the biggest asset the council has, but the funding it receives does not reflect this compared to other council departments.

Why is this?

I have contacted the council and they state that some of the issues raised in the article (March 26) are going to be dealt with sometime this year as part the council's structural maintenance programme.

Other councils are having to face a massive backlog relating to highway maintenance due to insufficient funds, so don't think it's simply a Bolton problem.

Rather than attack the Highways Department, any issues raised should be directed to Mr Blair!

Raymond Collins, Upper Lees Drive, Westhoughton