AT a recent area council meeting of the North East Lancashire Ramblers' Association, dismay was expressed regarding to your article, 'Delight at diversion of death trap path.' (Letters, January 12).

Yet again, pedestrians and walkers have been sold short and the voice of the motorcar speaks loudest and is obeyed.

When this road was built to by-pass Haslingden, it cut through nearly 20 footpaths and no provision was made for pedestrians by the inclusion of footbridges or subways. As the volume of traffic increases, so does the danger to those trying to cross it.

Many motorists seem unaware that they are not on a motorway and are amazed when they see pedestrians on 'their' road.

One of the reasons given for closing this path is "only 31 people a day used the ancient footpath." Assuming, that these 31 people use it at twice a day, that is 310 users a week, or 16,120 a year.

Would the Highways Authority divert a road with so much vehicular usage?

Ancient footpaths and routes are an important part of local history and if walked, as this one obviously is, should be preserved and its use encouraged.

Perhaps if instead of mere pedestrians, we were cute hedgehogs, endangered toads, or cows needing to be milked, then I am sure a safe crossing would have been provided.

It is quite amazing that two ministers of a government, which is supposedly encouraging children to walk to school by providing 'safe routes' and is encouraging us all to walk for the good of our health and the environment, have helped to discourage people from doing just that. Shame on you, Greg Pope and Janet Anderson.

SUSAN BAXENDALE (Secretary, North East Lancashire Area, The Ramblers' Association), Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors.