AS "Decision Day" approaches concerning the proposed landfill site at Fletcher Bank quarry in Shuttleworth, I would like to make yet another plea for common sense.

My knowledge of waste disposal and environmental matters is almost nil. I understand only that Fletcher Bank provides an irresistible source of rapid profit with hardly any investment or risk to the company.

However, it takes very little research to discover why the application must be refused. The plain fact is that yet another increase in heavy goods traffic in the Ramsbottom area is simply to invite the prospect of both environmental misery and human tragedy.

For example, the Duckworth Arms is one of the busiest pub-restaurants for miles and the traffic generated is considerable. The new development at Sheep Hey has further increased traffic on Whalley Road, as yet no warning signs, and there are, of course, bus stops in the same place on either side of the road. At times, it can take many minutes to ensure a safe turn, or a safe crossing by foot. And there is a hundred and one other distractions.

Are operations of the type proposed at Fletcher Bank not entirely dependent on HGV drivers being paid by the load in most cases? And, if so, isn't the issue of safety a total irrelevance for them?

Look at the mayhem caused by HGV and other drivers in the area. Take a look at the Stubbins roundabout where, on at least one section, no barriers remain. What about Peel Brow, the town centre and the area around the site itself. Can anyone in their right mind really pretend that our roads can cope with the traffic?

It is obvious that this application must be refused or, as so often happens in these situation, will profit and greed be the deciding factors?

CLIVE TAYLOR,

Whalley Road, Shuttleworth.