BLACKBURN with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration, Councillor Ashley Whalley, asserted (LET, January 1) that minor streets had never been gritted.

Oh, really? From 1956 to 1966 I was a clerical employee with the highways department and the policy was that after the main routes and access roads into Blackburn had been gritted, then minor side roads were attended to.

I can attest to these facts.

However, times have changed. The able-bodied also cleared their frontages by means of shovel and broom.

In many instances the less able were aided by good neighbours in clearances. They 'mucked in.'

D BULLEN (Mr), Albany Road, Blackburn