AS a railway/canal enthusiast and regular visitor to the marvellous East Lancashire Railway in Bury, I am always despondent to cross "boundaries" and enter my place of birth, Bolton.

Obviously Bolton is connected to the main railway network, but what about its "forgotten" derelict railways -- the Bolton and Leigh Railway (c1828), Bolton to Bury (c1838), Bolton to Worsley (c1865) to name but a few. Does anyone really care?

A few years ago the majority of these routes where still fairly intact. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, these routes are slowly disappearing into obscurity. Housing developments at Hulton Lane don't help the cause, but long sections and structures survive intact. Will a train ever cross the once busy St Helens Road level crossing again? The Bolton and Leigh railway deserves better than this.

Most days I pass under the magnificent viaduct at Darcy Lever (Bolton to Bury line). This line closed the year I was born (1970). "Ever get the feeling you've been cheated". Being a resident of Little Lever, why can't I board a train at Bradley Fold? At the Bolton and Bury boundary, Bury Metro should be commended, they have restored their part of the old line as an "off road" cycle track; Bolton allowed new housing development on its section

I acknowledge Bolton's derelict railways might never be "fully restored" to use, but they deserve a better fate than at present awaits them. For some time I have been deliberating with the idea of forming a preservation society to try and prevent further destruction of this part of Bolton's forgotten heritage. I am already monitoring planning applications that might affect long term aspirations for restoration and am trying to organise a "clean up" near Leverhulme Park.

My oldest daughter is nearly five; maybe, when she is my age, she can board a train at Trinity Street and venture forth on "Bolton's restored railways"!

Steven Parker

Melrose Road

Little Lever

Bolton