PEDESTRIAN crossings and traffic lights, desirable and necessary though they are, why does Westhoughton Town Council continue to fleece the local precept payer for such works, when funding should come out of Bolton Metro?

Former councillor Peter Johnson was quite right to point out this laid down criteria for such works, but, with respect, failed to explain how these are set aside, thus benefiting the Metro precept. For a considerable number of years the Town and Metro councils have been each other's concubine. Nowhere is this better illustrated than with the provision of traffic lights at the junction of Wigan Road and Wearish Lane, Westhoughton.

Discussion of Town Council budget for 1999-2000 -- £15,000 for the traffic lights -- which would be funded over two years -- (ie £30,000) traffic assessment requested from the Metro.

Incidentally, the then Lib Dems voted to delete the traffic lights. This junction did not satisfy criteria, but Bolton nevertheless set aside any scruples they may have had and were quite happy to carry out the works on an "in house" basis in the sum of £45,000.

Not content with sharing the bed, Bolton want another £15,000 to cover the final cost of the works -- some bed!

The Town Council "believe that the Metro should be encouraged to carry out work when the situation meets the required criteria". But even if is doesn't -- as in this case -- not to worry, a little bit of "pillow talk" will find the Town Council responding accordingly. But all is well in the bedroom. The District Audit checks the legality of payments and also the minutes. Plato got it right when he asked: "Who audits the auditor?"

T T Riley

Dixon Street

Westhoughton