SIR: Reporting on the local election results you said on Friday, May 3, turnout was poor with the best polls in Horwich at about 43 per cent - even with the Red Moss issue.

Fifty seven per cent of the people of Horwich should not be blamed for losing faith in democracy. We have elected town councils in Horwich, Blackrod and Westhoughton all 'anti tip' across the board. The Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat candidates at this election are all 'anti tip' candidates. Both Tom Sackville MP and Ruth kelly (prospective Labour candidate for Bolton West) are 'anti tip'. Horwich people have signed a 9,000 signature petition against the tip. So, what more can we do? Horwich is not responsible for the waste of all of Greater Manchester. We have already had our share of waste and are fighting to protect what remains of a wildlife habitat and archaeological site. The Labour Party election pamphlets made clear the health risks to the local population and these were given wide publicity in the BEN.

Bob Howarth has publicly stated: "We would never countenance any development, even if the whole country was short of landfill, that would put the health of our citizens at risk." Why isn't the Labour-controlled Bolton council now saying NO to tipping at Red Moss?

Marion Keeler

Cranborne Close

Lostock

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