ONCE again, readers have to be troubled by the bleating of Darwen-based correspondents, such as Roy Davies (Letters, December 29) and their perceived neglect at the hands of the local authority.

As appears obligatory on such discussions, the Christmas lights issue is used as ammunition in this insular debate, despite having had the true facts around this topic fully discussed and explained in these pages on several occasions, notably by Councillor Dave Smith, a Darwener himself.

His comments about Darwen only having access to Blackburn's snowplough in the summer are insulting to those who have recently battled to keep the streets of Blackburn and Darwen clear of snow over the New Year period, not to mention being factually incorrect.

I have Darwen connections and drove through the town on several occasions over the festive period and in my opinion, the streets of Darwen and Blackburn were equally well maintained.

Mr Davies cites the bus service and its financial viability as another concern. Is he aware that Blackburn with Darwen Council are no longer responsible for Blackburn Transport?

Forgive me if I am wrong Mr Davies, but aren't they some of Blackburn Transport's newest vehicles which roll through his town at 15 minute intervals, not to mention further services run by Stagecoach and other concerns?

Mr Davies and his backward-thinking cohorts should be proud to be part of a vibrant and cosmopolitan community, which is what Blackburn with Darwen is in essence. A town such as Darwen, which has allowed itself to fall into a sad decline, can never realistically be seen as having city potential in its own right.

He should be grateful that the local authority have recognised this decline and are now working in partnership with a number of agencies in an attempt to regenerate the area as a whole.

As for his observations about the shopping centre, questions have to be asked of why Sainsbury's (and others) chose to locate in Darwen if Mr Davies's assertions are true, and did they appear without the knowledge and involvement of the local council?

If most Darweners do want 'independence' from the obviously cruel and uncaring current regime, why not allow them a referendum? Let's hear what the whole of Darwen thinks, not just the near-bigoted views of the bitter and historically-entrenched minority.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is obviously making efforts to unite and involve both towns (and other settlements). Think back to the millennium events which were arranged with great success throughout the borough in 2000.

What of the various Access Points, community bases and the relocation of a variety of services to Darwen Town Hall?

Perhaps the only way of solving this matter would be to relocate Blackburn Town Hall to the site which has been earmarked for a motorway service station close to the boundary between the two towns. It might not do much for Darwen's job seekers, but would this satisfy the anti-Blackburnian element in Darwen?

Darwen may well have missed out in the past, but the new regime is already working in the right direction and the ill-informed and often untrue comments of certain observers can only serve to slow down and hinder this process.

This local authority is working harder than most to secure a prosperous and harmonious living environment for all of its residents.

DICK DAVIDSON, Alexandra Road, Blackburn.