Westhoughton council, on an "In house" basis, instructed their Bolton concubine of long standing to install traffic lights at a road junction at a cost of £45,000.

Bolton, having under-estimated (what's new?), asked Oliver Twist-fashion "Please sir, more sir". Cllr David Wilkinson's response (Bolton Evening News, July 19, 2001) "... we will just say 'no' to the request for an additional £10/15,000."

Bolton later lowered their figure to £8,000. Just how much Westhoughton coughed up isn't public knowledge, but cough they did.

Indulging once more in connubial bliss with Bolton, £30,000 out of the local precept of £129,387 has been budgeted for a pedestrian crossing, effectively subsidising works elsewhere in the Metro area.

Paying off a mortgage to keep a roof over one's head takes a large slice out of a household budget, but being fleeced as well by "money no object" councils -- Metro or Parish -- adds to the burden.

Prior to the demolition of accountable local government in 1974, profligacy did not play any part in the process.

Today? -- Commonplace!

T T Riley

Dixon Street

Westhoughton