I WRITE with deep concern regarding the many roads and pavements around Bolton, especially around the local schools. I cannot believe they are still covered with deep amounts of wet, slippery leaves which must have fallen a month or so ago.

Each day I see many schoolchildren fighting their way along the paths, often slipping and coming into school with wet clothes and elderly people struggling to stay on their feet just out walking their dogs on those footpaths. What about the cycle lanes, for example on Moss Bank Way? What cycle lane, may I ask? For, at present, it is not visible, covered in leaves. This concerns me personally as I have a father-in-law who uses Moss Bank Way on his cycle each week to Westhoughton to work. I simply don't know how he copes staying on his bike. Most of the roads on his journey to Westhoughton are covered too.

Are we waiting for the frost to come to make the job of clearing this mess even more impossible? I beg you, Bolton Council, to make a start to clear the pavements and roads to keep Bolton roads a little safer for the many motorists and pedestrians, either by cycle, motorbike, walking or car.

Perhaps a clean-up just once every month would help initially to clear this mess. Incidentally, I have had personal experience when approximately five years ago I slipped off the kerb outside the Oaks School, damaging tendons and ending up in plaster because of a slippery pavement. Therefore I do know the pain this danger can cause. I certainly would not like the elderly to have this experience.

Perhaps the Council is waiting for the rest of the leaves to drop and then we will need to use a spade to make our way through the leaves each day, tied to our cars or dangling off our coats! Please, Bolton Council, sort this matter soon!

Mrs Tracey Ainsworth

Bramley Road, Bolton.