WHITE Line Mania and Road Restriction paranoia currently sweeping Bolton is proof that the narrowing of vital arteries into our towns is most definitely the cause of road rage!

Somebody who may have retired can enjoy the privilege of the free open roads during the quiet off-peak hours.

However, there are those among us who have no choice but to navigate the strangled roads that are choking the life out of Bolton during the rush hours.

Are the powers that be really intent on destroying the heart of Bolton? As if excessive car parking charges weren't bad enough, now they're doing their best to stop people from even getting into the town! What price progress, or stupidity?

How many of the greedy self-opinionated perpetrators of this abomination to our roads have considered any of the following:

The danger to our health from the enormous increase in pollution caused by the exhaust fumes of stationary and slow-moving vehicles. Children are especially vulnerable as they travel during peak periods and a great many of our schools are sited on main roads.

The vastly increased expenditure and loss of the world's natural resources (oil) consumed hungrily by slow-moving vehicles The increase in costs to car owners, whose petrol consumption has soared.

The increase in revenue to Government coffers, from increased fuel consumption.

The decrease in revenue lost to Bolton and its traders with many people being put off from even coming into the town any more.

Paint

The stress levels and related problems, of victims who travel along blocked arteries. not to mention Road Rage!

How much does all this road painting cost, and who is profiting? The only good thing is that it is creating a lot of jobs. What genuine statistics are available to indicate our main A roads are any safer from having them squeezed into B roads (similar in width to country lanes)? As far as I can tell, there appears to be far more of those little blue and white Police notices asking for information about accidents sprouting up around the town, than there ever used to be.

Why are 'Rat-runs' created near most traffic lights? (e.g. Moss Bank Way at the junction with Captain's Clough. This briefly cuts out cyclists and their right of way, and introduces two very short lanes in which motorists can frantically race, overtake and jockey for pole position before the daft restrictions return after only a few yards. How many accidents and near misses at these spots?

Our former elected leaders obviously had more foresight than our present dictators have. With safety in mind they at least had the good sense to make bigger and wider roads so as to readily accommodate the increase in the volume of traffic. Did they really get it so wrong? In view of the considerable number of motorway accidents, is the next logical step to reduce the motorways, down to only one lane in each direction, and give cyclists equal fights and a lane solely for their use? What about prams?

Self-destructive cyclists going the wrong way in their private empty lanes! I've already seen this.

You must watch out for this species before they rapidly become extinct!

David Thomas

Alexandra Road

Lostock

Bolton