PETER Caswell's remarks (Letters, June 30), concerning the residents of the Roman Road estate in Blackburn, and its long-standing problems were spot on.

However, his warning that other estates should take note of such fiascos is a little late. For the present Labour council's mismanagement over decades of neglect is already reflected on council estates throughout the borough.

This is evident from the fact that they now cannot wait to be rid of the problems of degeneration on these estates that their own policies created in the first place.

Their recent decision to attempt a sell-off or create a local housing company in which tenants - decent, long-standing, rent-paying people - would have a say is testimony to their neglect of decent folk.

For the present allocation system of "points make prizes," or in other words, rent accommodation to any Tom, Dick or Harry without recourse to their past background has seen only a fast decline of the qualify of life on our council estates for decent living people.

The Labour group, led by Councillor Malcolm Doherty, should hang its head in shame for the complete and utter sham they alone have made of what were in the past both pleasant and decent places to live.

MR P NEWTON, committee member Bank Top Community Association, Ashworth Close, Blackburn.

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