TODAY, I had an appointment at Bolton's single hospital. I was fortunate enough to find a parking space just in time to keep a morning appointment.

One driver I spoke to was late for his.

I eventually found a space after driving around to various locations for 20 minutes. I then faced a long walk to the appointed department.

Near to where I parked, the mid-morning work of grass training and flower care was going on. No doubt the £1 fee I paid for playing "Hunt the Space" will help the future fertilisation and manicure of the environment. Perhaps it will help to win some NHS Trust "Garden of the Year" Award.

The powers that be have decreed that Bolton only needs one hospital, and that it should be miles out of town. I presume original planning would allow for adequate parking as a priority facility? Obviously not. I presume that a hospital is there to serve people rather than to cultivate lawns and borders? Obviously not.

If adequate parking was available I would support the greenery. Until such a time every available space should be blacktopped to relieve the immense and demoralising parking problem.

The benefits are many. The hospital makes more money from charges (or could reduce these!). Horticultural costs are cut. Motorists save pounds in fuel costs by not wandering around trying to find spaces. The loss of pollution -- inhibiting greenery is cancelled out by the reduction of exhaust emissions from wandering vehicles. Relaxed drivers could keep appointments on time. Patients would receive happier visitors. Stress and rage would be minimised.

I repeat that a hospital's function is to be a hospital, not a garden or a park where grass is more valued than parking.

M Richards

Chapeltown Road, Bolton