IT looks as if some of your readers don't overmuch like the new bridge, (Bolton Evening News, June 7). I am prepared to wait until it is finished and carrying traffic before I reach a final judgement.

But one or two facts might come in handy. "Complete waste of taxpayers' money", says one. "Cheaper to repair the old bridge and spend the surplus on youth services", says another.

I don't know whether the lady in question is a civil engineer, but I doubt it. And anyway, the bridge was half paid for by Network Rail. They do railway bridges they dont do youth clubs.

To begin with, the old bridge was life-expired and past saving (I haveseen a summary of the engineer's report), so there were two options - either build a new bridge, or shut Newport Street completely.

I can't believe that anybody who has driven through Bolton town centre on a Saturday afternoon would argue for the permanent closure of Newport Street. So we needed a new bridge. So we've got one. What's the problem?

Peter Johnston

Kendal Road

Bolton