WHILE I welcome the news of a skate park for youngsters, I cannot help but feel that the decision to locate it in Farnworth has been taken in the belief that it will alleviate the problems with gangs of youths in that particular area.

I will be keen to see the results in 12 months' time.

It would have made more common sense to locate the skate park centrally rather than on the outskirts of Bolton, especially when we have a large area of land which is unused. In fact, the land could have been used to house both a skate park and swimming pool and cater for all generations.

One would think with all the European money being spent on so-called "special" projects, either of these ideas would have been feasible. It is blatantly obvious to the general public, so why the council cannot see it is beyond belief.

The truth is that Bolton Council never seems to manage to get such projects right. Time and again we have seen successful projects taken away, or found them floundering years later. It seems we then have to spend thousands to examine the reasons why youths are not using these facilities. When will the council ever learn from its mistakes?

Ian Upton

Thomas More Close

Bolton