REGARDING the ongoing debate about the Liberal Democrat policy of reducing Bolton's refuse collection to a fortnightly service.

In the report of January 2, Cllr Roger Hayes dismisses Conservative plans to restore a weekly service as costing an extra £3.5m. This is far from true.

At a meeting on December 15, Cllr Hayes sat next to me as I set out the Conservative plans. On figures produced by council officers, their option 1, the additional annual costs for a weekly grey bin collection would be £1.26m, not the £3.5m claimed by Liberal Democrats.

Let me reiterate for Cllr Hayes and Liberal Democrats. Conservatives would provide a full weekly grey bin service, a small bin for those households wishing to replace the present inadequate green box, and a review of the need for a fortnightly green bin service in the winter months. In addition to help recycling targets, Conservatives would want to extend the range of plastics collected and also support cardboard collections.

Before writing, I have given Cllr Hayes the opportunity to correct the remarks in your report but he has declined to so. Accordingly, I must set the record straight.

At the end of this debate, one issue remains above all others. The only service most households get to their doors is refuse collection. If the public want a weekly service, that is what the council should provide, and I have not yet seen a single letter, other than from Liberal Democrat councillors, supporting a fortnightly service.

Councillor John Walsh OBE

Conservative Environment Spokesman

Astley Bridge Ward