SIR: Following the recent debacle in Bolton's Council Chambers on Aug 22, the question of just who does pull the strings in relation to the Red Moss Fiasco must, I feel, be answered now.

Along with the numerous campaigners against the Supertip who crowded the public gallery at the planning meeting, several councillors also appeared to be taken unawares by the sudden appearance of a 'rather thick' document, delivered that very morning by a UK Waste special courier.

The fact that this important presentation by UK Waste was not considered serious enough to forewarn the majority of planning councillors, who would have thus been permitted to assess the situation prior to the meeting, requires explanation, which was not forthcoming at the meeting.

In a later edition of the Bolton Evening News, it was stated by a representative of UK Waste Ltd that Bolton Council were well aware of the fact that this document was on its way to them, prior to the planning meeting. If this is correct, why were the majority of councillors not informed? Although it is quite understandable that UK Waste Ltd should wish to pursue their application, which was formulated following an agreement with Bolton MBC in 1992, in the light of overwhelming opposition to the scheme, this last-minute escapade will not have enhanced their prospects for future contracts with other councils.

But perhaps most important of all, the irreparable damage done to he council's reputation, should this fiasco be allowed to continue, may result in the ultimate disenchantment of several dedicated members involved, not to mention the local electorate.

John Acton

Victoria Road, Horwich

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