SIR: I was appalled to read in the BEN on October 16/17 about the progression of plans to build the mammoth Dumplington shopping centre near to the M63 in Trafford.

Bolton Metro Council are quite right to oppose the scheme strongly. It is shameful that Trafford Council are going ahead with this project despite opposition from neighbouring local authorities. They have no compunction about stealing jobs and amenities from Bolton and other parts of Greater Manchester.

This enormous development, costing £230 million and scheduled to be opened by Christmas 1998, threatens to turn Bolton's excellent shopping centre into a boarded-up ghost town. Studies have shown that Bolton's shops stand to lose at least £28 million per year. The proposed centre will be accessible from most parts of our Borough in under half an hour by car.

Any reader who doubts that devastation will be caused only needs to look at the example of Sheffield's Meadowhall Shopping Centre. This development, sited next to the M1 motorway, has laid waste the shopping centre in nearby Rotherham and severely damaged larger city centre shopping facilities in Sheffield. It has also greatly increased traffic congestion on the M1.

My message to the Leader of Trafford Council is: "Don't dump your wretched Dumplington on Bolton where I work. We neither want nor need it!"

Mrs Gaye Johnston

Winterley Drive, Huncoat, Accrington

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