NOT only do we have to contend with our shop's 'A-board' going, but we now have the problem of drivers re-routing up Higher Cockcroft, through the nearby private car park and going down Lower Cockcroft to get back on to Northgate in Blackburn.

This has started since the so-called gates on Northgate were put up.

Some of the vehicles are passing our shop entrance at such a speed that one day, one of our elderly customers will be knocked down.

We are sure Blackburn Council are trying their best to run down small businesses.

Surely, they could be a bit less aggressive towards shops that need the 'A-boards' or some form of advertisement to carry on trading, as other towns have done this.

Blackburn Council go on about paying thousands of pounds in compensation to people who have tripped over 'A-boards' and clutter on the street, but surely half a gate, waist-high across Northgate is just as dangerous for blind people.

Why didn't they put up collapsible bollards instead?

MISS WILD and MRS ASTLEY, Shumart, Higher Cockcroft, Northgate, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.