SO the re-opening of the Rumworth bridge "will end months of traffic problems" (Bolton Evening News, January 21).

Not for the residents of Glengarth Drive and the adjoining roads it won't. It will simply be the beginning of the unacceptable Westhoughton rat-run traffic all over again.

We read with disgust the Bolton Evening News article, headed "Relief for drivers as bridge is set to re-open". The residents of Glengarth Drive and surrounding roads had not been informed that the bridge was to re-open, unlike, it seems, the residents who live on the other side of the railway!

No one appears to care about the serious risk to children attending Lostock Primary School, or the fact that Glengarth Drive was never designed to be a through road. And as for the traffic calming measures mentioned in the report, we have yet to see any on our side of the bridge.

There have been a number of minor accidents as a result of cars travelling too fast, and the new developments in Chew Moor and at Lostock station will bring even more traffic.

Following the re-opening, will we be getting traffic lights at the junction of Glengarth Drive and Beaumont Road, so that we can exit the estate without risking our lives? Still, perhaps this won't be a problem after the council has turned Beaumont Road into one lane each way with an 10ft cycle lane and lots of white lines, as no doubt they will, despite the results obtained from carrying out one of their splendid consultation exercises. Cllr Guy Harkin says: "We carried out detailed consultations with residents who asked for traffic calming measures..." Where are they then?

It is hard to understand how trade has been affected at the Lostock Arms; their parking has been enlarged and improved by the closure, with cars able to park on either side of the bridge and their owners walk down the steps -- although perhaps they shouldn't be going to the pub in their cars anyway! Regrettably, Mr Shaw (landlord), everybody is NOT delighted and common sense has not prevailed.

However, the residents of Junction Road West are no doubt clapping their hands, having shifted the problem back to Glengarth Drive -- clearly they were much better than we were at influencing the council, but that still doesn't make it the right decision. And those of Westhoughton and beyond will be delighted to be able to drive past our homes at excessive speeds -- let us hope that they and we do not live (or die) to regret it.

Barbara Dibbetts

and Gill Fisher

Lowside Avenue

off Glengarth Drive

Lostock

Bolton