I SHOULD like to speak out in favour of the much maligned traffic wardens who work apparently 24 hours a day, seven days a week assiduously to keep the streets of Bolton free of motorists.

To misquote Churchill "never in the history of human conflict have so few caused so much pain, perturbation and poverty to so many".

They, and their masters, should be recommended for making sure that any pleasure from a visit to Bolton is soon dissipated. I am sure that Councillor Kilcoyne, from the safety of his parking place, will agree that criminals, like myself, should not be allowed to get away with parking on Cheadle Square on a Sunday (under the impression that parking was free on a Sunday) without paying £30 for that privilege.

I could perhaps "get away" with speeding or some other motoring offence, but in no way will I be allowed to "get away" with parking without paying for a ticket, however innocently and for whatever reason.

Unfortunately, I can see redundancies soon amongst that valiant band as more motorists like myself shop elsewhere and, despite the spin doctor telling us how wonderful a shopping centre Bolton is, all I can see for the future is a ghost town.

The marble slabs in Victoria Square are more symbolic than we first thought.

J. Walsh

Thornton Close

Farnworth

Bolton