I CARE for my home and my community and the area I live in. Today I have witnessed stone paving flags being taken away and replaced by asphalt. This has happened in the back street at the rear of my house on Bennetts Lane.

I feel very concerned about this when you consider that Halliwell Road residents protested when their flags were removed and asphalt was used, and that people pay fortunes to have stone drives and paths. If feels rather like it doesn't matter about Bennetts Lane keeping the flags, and that, probably, you have got better uses for them.

I have telephoned the Highways Department offices today to ask why we can't retain the flags and have been told they were too expensive, they are too dangerous. This really does not ring true when you have flagged other areas including the Town Hall Square. On the whole, the folk around here are decent people who care about where they live. I really think that you should respect this and, if you are going to downgrade the area, at least have the decency to consult us.

It would be very interesting to know what happens to the flags from our back street!

I have sent a copy of this letter to the Highways Department.

Kathryn Fletcher

Bennetts Lane,

Smithills,

Bolton.