I ATTENDED a meeting of the Blenheim Road Action Group and after hearing all the objection and concerns of the local residents about the proposed planning application for new cycle track at Newhouse Farm Playing Fields, Breightmet, I was appalled by the way in which Bolton Council and local councillors have ignored their objections.

Local residents have asked for a site survey — why has this not happened? Why has an environmental survey not been carried out? This habitat has designated sites for great crested newts and supports a huge amount of wildlife such as bats, frogs, toads and a variety of birdlife.

There are also two public rights of way on this site which intersect the proposed cycle track; how can this happen when there is a perfectly viable alternative on Leverhulme Park? Residents themselves have surveyed both sites according to the plans. There is already adequate parking and infrastructure on Leverhulme Park, why on earth do we, the taxpayers, have to fund a vanity project?

A protest meeting is being held on Saturday, May 7, 2pm by local residents on the actual proposed site.

Sandra MacNeill

Conservative Candidate

Breightmet Ward