PRAISE for the three councillors who had the courage to vote against the Market Hall proposals.

They were councillors Mrs Maureen Connell (Little Lever), William Collison (Kearsley) and Alan Walsh (Over Hulton) of the Labour, Liberal and Conservative parties respectively.

In contrast, the remainder of the planning committee were misguided in failing to support the traditional market traders who offer such variety and value of goods and services for the benefit of Bolton shoppers.

Councillors have been beguiled by the claims and offerings of a development company making funds available to absolve Bolton Metro from financial responsibilities which should be those of the authority alone.

The assertion was made that decisions are finance-driven; planning issues being secondary.

One is also dismayed by the acquiescence of the planning department in a scheme that decimates the market stall holdings and imposes a building on the piazza to the east of the Market Hall, presenting a wall to Bridge Street which is incongruous and oppressive. Yet the planning department can be assertive when it chooses, in lesser matters.

There have been some spurious claims in reports of Bolton's shopping decline.

lf this is perceived by councillors as a problem, they may well ponder on the draconian parking regime, on the charges, on the out-of town shopping facilities, particularly Middlebrook, developed against Bolton Metro's planning strategy; and the parking available at other centres, often free.

Bolton Civic Trust has been totally supportive of the Market Tenants' Association campaign and in the good company of the public in their massive petition and hundreds of letters. Never has the public been so motivated. The Tenants' Association may well have a case for judicial review. We believe the decision misguided, doomed to failure, and that the oppressive wall of the building to flank Bridge Street will be a matter of great regret.

Brian Tetlow

Chairman

Bolton & District Civic Trust