NO edition of the Bolton Evening News seems to be complete without a letter or two from motorists complaining variously about car parking, traffic wardens, traffic humps, fuel prices, road maintenance etc.

So it was no surprise to read letters from Messrs Hampson and Breakell after they had cast their watchful eyes over your report of the £2.5 million off- road cycle routes in the Bolton area.

Rather than congratulate the council on obtaining National Lottery funding for this splendid scheme they bang on about why the money could not be spent on road maintenance.

Well, gentlemen, under the terms of the funding from the Lottery this is not possible - the money must be spent in accordance with the terms of the grant. It's as simple as that.

So why not give credit for an exciting project which will benefit not just cyclists, but walkers and horse riders too. It will provide opportunities for people to journey by bike and on foot, for leisure and for work, in a safe, healthy and environmentally friendly manner.

For years, cyclists have been driven off the roads, often by drivers who pay scant regard for their vulnerability. At last something is being done to redress the balance.

And for those who say it won' t work - take a look at the Lune Valley routes in Lancaster, and the hugely successful Bristol to Bath cycleway.

And yes, I too am a motorist as well as a cyclist, paying my road tax and with an interest in properly maintained roads.

Ian Marshall

Elgol Drive

Ladybridge