SIR: I read with interest, the comments regarding the footpath, or non-existence of the footpath, to Blackrod Railway Station.

When I returned to being a rail commuter in June 1997, after a break of about seven years, I was completely astounded when I tried to take this route home after a long day at work, only to find that my shoes were ruined by the time I had battled my way through the muck and rubble which had then replaced the footpath. Several months later, I dread to think what sort of state it is in.

As Lance Watkinson stated in his letter, it means another half mile onto a journey if you walk to the station, as I do on most occasions, usually having to run on the last minute.

Rail users at Lostock constantly bemoan the fact that their car park is not big enough, but at least they have one! When is Blackrod going to be provided with the same facility, bearing in mind the length of time that the station has been there?

I have caught various trains between 6.30am and 8.15am and there is on average 25-30 people for each train between these times. The car park was always quite full, but now there is nowhere to park. As Blackrod pay a precept on the council tax to Bolton, it is time we were afforded at least some facilities.

Mrs K Wilkinson

Nightingale Road

Blackrod

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