I AM writing in response to the letter by Mr Philip Breckell which appeared in the Bolton Evening News on July 30.

The work involves a third lane to De Havilland Way in Horwich and re-surfacing of the other two lanes. It is part of a long term plan for the Bolton Economic Development Zone which covers the Horwich, Lostock and Wingates areas. This plan looks at the whole future of the area as a place of employment, leisure and business growth. The extra lane will help in the regeneration of the area and support local companies.

The plan was commissioned by the previous administration in 2002 and we are continuing with that work. It is part of a planned approach to improving the area which includes both public and private transport.

Mr Breckell questions the need for the extra lane but in recent years the area has seen the building of Middlebrook, the Reebok Stadium, Bolton Arena, Parklands, Horwich Parkway railway station and many other developments. Traffic levels will continue to increase as a result of planned development and we need to improve the provision for public and private transport.

There has been landscaping in the area and the planting of new trees anticipated the need for an additional lane. All the new trees will remain in place.

Mr Breckell says that there are other roads which need improvement but the money being spent on the link road cannot be used elsewhere. It is part of a specific European grant for that area and cannot be used on other projects, however great the need. There is a time limit in which that money can be spent which is why the work needs to be carried out now.

The scheme is expected to take around three months to complete and we do apologise for any delay that will be caused while the improvements are made.

I hope my response has answered Mr Breckell's questions.

Councillor Barbara Ronson

Leader of the Council