SIR: On behalf of Opera 74 may I offer an apology to the four hundred or so patrons of Opera 74 who were so seriously inconvenienced as they attempted to approach the Town Hall for a performance of Carmen last Friday.

Not only our audience but cast, orchestra and support staff were prevented from taking the advertised routes to supposedly available car parks during and after the Thwaites Grand Prix cycle race around the town centre.

It was only after tickets had been put on sale that we were informed by Leisure Services that the cycle race was to take place. The event's organisers had assured us at meetings and by letter that drivers would be able to approach the Central Street car park throughout the race, and that disabled and elderly patrons could be dropped off at the entrance to the Albert Halls after 7.15. Despite these assurances, Deansgate had been closed off and police officers were preventing access. It was impossible for disabled members of the audience to be dropped off at the door of the Town Hall; the area between that and Whitaker's building was so filled with competitors' vehicles that access even on foot proved to be uncomfortably difficult. The result was that able bodies patrons had in some cases a route march to Le Mans Crescent and truly disabled people were put at risk. One lady's wheel chair had to be pushed nearly half a mile to the Albert Hall, and a lady of 92 arrived in a state of near collapse.

We have found over the years that our audiences like the Albert Hall because of the ease of access and the safe parking in the Octagon Car Park. Last Friday, we regret that we had so many complaints on a matter over which we had no control. The Hall had been booked many months before on the understanding that the usual easy access would be available. We can only apologise for the discomfort and distress incurred.

Shirley Aldred,

Secretary Opera 74

Kinloch Drive, Heaton

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