REGARDING the pelican crossing outside the Boota newsagent's shop in Blackburn Road, Great Harwood (LET, May 25), I think the true facts of this story have been deliberately withheld.

Firstly, there was a several hundred-name petition demanding a crossing at that area, which was organised by the previous owner of the newsagents. The present owner, Mr Abdul Hamid, was aware of its impending implementation at the time he bought the business.

Secondly, I was a local councillor for eight years and a regular customer of the newsagent for 13 years. I know for a fact that Mr Hamid and I have met on several occasions with Councillor George Slynn, who was also a regular customer and chairman of highways and transport committee at the county council at that time, along with officers of the council.

However, Mr Hamid did not get the response he wanted - removal of the crossing. So I do not know how he could say that he could never get council representatives to see him.

I would suggest Mr Hamid has a more political agenda.

C A REID, Lomax Street, Great Harwood.

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