BARRIERS and huge blocks of stone could be used to stop repeated ram raids at Wingates Industrial Estate. They were among ideas put forward at a crisis meeting involving business people, and local councillors. Bolton councillor Eric Hyland and Westhoughton town councillor David Wilkinson are now pressing for extra security after hearing how companies were being repeatedly targeted by gangs of ram raiders because there is open access to the site.

Cllr Hyland said he had already put various ideas to Bolton Council leader Cllr Bob Howarth who had pledged to give them urgent consideration.

"Large boulders in the right place could prevent ram raids," said Cllr Hyland. "It is a matter of urgency that something is done."

Meanwhile Mr Mark Perks, who was a Tory candidate in Thursday's council elections, has persuaded Royal Mail to stop its lorries travelling along a built up area in Westhoughton.

He wrote to 16 firms on the Industrial Estate asking them not to allow heavy goods vehicles to travel along the A6 Manchester Road from the Chequerbent roundabout.

He appealed to them instead to use the Reebok Stadium junction of the M61 to access the A6 where there are fewer houses.

The Royal Mail has taken up Mr Perks' idea and has instructed its truck drivers throughout the country to use the stadium junction at all times.

Mr Perks said: "The Royal Mail are to be congratulated.

"The build up of heavy traffic along the residential areas of the A6 is an accident waiting to happen.

"The Royal Mail are one of the biggest users of the Wingates Industrial Estate and their agreement to implement the suggested code of practice is a boon for local residents."

Mr Perks came up with his scheme after receiving numerous complaints about heavy traffic along the A6 in Westhoughton.

The road skirts along several small housing estates and goes past a primary school.

Mr Perks said he now hoped other firms on the Wingates industrial site would follow the Royal Mail's example.

Mr Tony Drew, head of operations at the Royal Mail distribution centre in Westhoughton, said: "We try to support the local community in everything we do.

"We have already briefed all drivers through our national network and we will try and assist as best we can."

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