I WRITE to you expressing my concern regarding the unnecessary pedestrianisation of Brackley Street, Farnworth, where local councillors and Bolton Metro are adamant this scheme will go through regardless of the inconvenience to the disabled people of Farnworth, the objections of local traders and loss of employment in retail stores on Brackley Street.

I find it inconceivable that the disabled people of Farnworth have to walk from Asda or the Aldi car parks to visit our stores, especially during the bad weather conditions -- "it just isn't right".

I first opened my store on Brackley Street eight years ago with a staff of just three. I now employ 17 dedicated, loyal staff who have been with me for many years. Some of these jobs are now at risk, due to the loss of the disabled customers who are not visiting our stores.

You can't imagine how I must feel if I have to ask loyal staff to leave my employment, for the first time in 25 years of being in business on my own.

I ask the executives of Bolton Met and the local councillors involved, how would they like their elderly, disabled parents or relatives to walk from the Asda or Aldi car parks to visit stores on Brackley Street? How would they feel if they were made unemployed due to no fault of their own? What kind of society are we living in?

The timing of the pedestrianisation work just happens to coincide with the opening of the new Trafford Centre, Thanks, Bolton Metro and their councillors, for nothing. I find this situation unacceptable.

For and on behalf of

Cuts Galore and Cards Galore (Farnworth)

John Dunleavy -- owner

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.