BURY Council highways department has recently undertaken footpath improvement work on Heywood Road, Prestwich, from Bury Old Road to Daneshill Road.

This came about as a result of a questionnaire which was circulated some time ago.

After filling-in the questionnaire I thought that the work would include the stretch from Daneshill Road to Polefield Road, but it appears not to be so and the contractors have now removed their equipment.

Telephone calls to the highways department brought from one officer an expression of surprise that the extra work had not been done and from Mr Harry Howard (principal engineer) the comment that the work may be considered in next year's budget, but that some work would be done on making the footpath from Daneshill Road to Polefield Road safe. This stretch of pavement is the main thoroughfare for many schoolchildren and for people from the Polefield estate, and surrounding neighbourhood, who use the shopping parade.

This pavement is very dangerous because of its poor condition and is quite difficult to negotiate.

The shopping parade itself is dangerous and an eyesore and is in need of improvement work and a lay-by for cars to park.

I am alarmed that Bury Council does not consider the safety of its residents by allowing the pavements in this and other areas to deteriorate to this degree, proving once again that Prestwich is Bury's poor relation.

Maybe some of the money lavished on other parts of Bury could have been spent improving Prestwich and Whitefield.

BRIAN WILBRAHAM,

Heywood Road,

Prestwich.