BOLTON'S three MPs have turned down a chance to have their say on town centre parking. Tom Sackville, Peter Thurnham and David Young were asked their opinions in town hall consultations. But they were not alone - only 16 of 65 individuals and organisations approached gave their views within the two month deadline.

Town centre workers are disgruntled about being pushed to the fringes by increased charges.

But when the opinions of trade unions were sought, the GMB and UNISON had nothing to say.

Bolton Business Centre, the Chamber of Trade and Friends of the Earth made no attempt to influence parking policy and only a few members of the public responded.

But Bolton police, most town hall departments, Euro MP Gary Titley, National Car Parks, GM Buses North and the Bolton and Bury Chamber of Commerce responded.

Planning chairman Cllr Jack Foster said: "Everybody had the opportunity to contribute and if they have chosen not to we must assume they are broadly satisfied.

"If they did not reply they obviously have not got much to complain about.

"Our survey shows that car parking problems are low down on peoples' list of priorities."

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