OVER quite a long period, I have been moved by hairdresser Jeff Stone's concern regarding the decimation of trade in Blackburn by the unpleasant never-ending roadworks -- views shared by many of his commercial colleagues and most residents of the town.

Regretfully, his latest remarks (Letters, January 18) contain a much greater air of despondency, bordering on surrender.

I urge him to continue the fight and the exposure of those subjecting us to an elected dictatorship.

The Council's cabinet has brought the town to a standstill, transformed it into a maze and introduced diversions that have resulted in gridlocks.

I was looking at a video of Bygone Blackburn recently which showed when it was a pleasure to go round the shops and the arcade instead of it having a multitude of boarded-up properties plastered with posters, providing the only colour in the town centre.

The result of the roadworks and new junction is cars taking short cuts to avoid them. Cabinet members should visit the Bank Top area every morning and afternoon peak period to see this daily spectacle.

The consequence of this will be increased council tax.

And the puffed-up people responsible for all this havxe the audacity to promote our urban bomb site as a city. Keep at them Jeff, the whole town is behind you

TOM HOWORTH, Carlinghurst Road, Blackburn.