MY WIFE and I have visited the new Sainsbury's store three times since it opened and have been surprised at the low number of customers.

I feel sure that a major contributory factor is the difficulty in negotiating the new roundabout, especially when leaving the store. To go round it and head back along Atherleigh Way towards Lowton is an extremely hazardous manoeuvre, especially in darkness - which at present means from 3.30pm. As the weather worsens during winter, serious accidents are likely.

While on this subject, I invite Desmond Fleming's Wigan councillors to visit two other blackspots, as pedestrians.

Firstly, they should try crossing to or from the southern pavement of Queen Street, Leigh, at its junction near Spinning Jenny Way. In either direction, vehicles travel as speed around a blind bend, making it extremely dangerous for pedestrians, especially for those slowed up by age, disability or by having care of children. Again, accidents seem inevitable here.

So they do at Cross Hillock, Astley, where a busy junction, zebra crossing, shops, a petrol station and industrial units combine to make it a nightmare ate times, especially in darkness.

Drivers travelling along Manchester Road often cannot spot pedestrians crossing, or waiting to cross. This crossing should be upgraded to pelican status. It would then be much safer for pedestrians, and make it easier for drivers crossing between Coach Road and Higher Green, or turning from either towards Boothstown along Manchester Road.

J.B. Griffin

Oakwood Drive

Leigh

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