WE thank the BEN for letting us know about the possible re-opening of the coalyard at Chequerbent, otherwise, although we only live a stone's throw away from the site, we would have known absolutely nothing about it, nor would any of the local residents we have approached.

Who wants a coal dump on their doorstep?

Blackrod turned it down, so without a warning to Westhoughton councillors or residents, Bolton Council give a licence for a Bristol haulage firm to set up at Chequerbent. What power have our local councillors -- none, it seems.

We lived here 20 years ago, and suffered the awful coal dust and dread its re-appearance.

It is reported that 4,000 vehicles are expected to use the site. Have these Bolton councillors ever experienced the traffic load on the A6 and Park Road from the Chequerbent island?

Someone tell us, where is all this coal coming from and going to?

Is it linked to the opencast mining scheduled to begin soon on the Little Hulton boundary?

If so, why can't it be distributed from there?

I beg the people of Chequerbent and Westhoughton to rise up and demand to know just what is happening.

We don't want a coal dump at Chequerbent.

Ann and David Anderton

Over Hulton