THERE was good and bad news for the blight home area of Whitefield this week.

The Ombudsman decided there was no maladministration by the Highways Agency in dealing with the M62 Relief Road.

That decision will affect claims for compensation from some homeowners who have seen the value of their homes drop over two years.

In a letter to MP Ivan Lewis, the Ombudsman said he found there was insufficient evidence to justify a full investigation into the allegations.

However, he is willing to give further consideration to homeowners who were negotiating to sell their homes to the Highways Agency when the Relief Road proposals were scrapped.

Mr Lewis said: "It is disgusting that people's quality of life can be destroyed without any explanation or compensation.

"I am determined to pursue any avenues available in our fight for justice."

However, the Highways Agency suspended court action to evict tenants still remaining.

The agency wants to evict tenants so that homes can be sold at auction or by private sale.

However, the new Government ordered discussions between the agency , Bury Council and a housing association, with a view to the association taking control of the houses. Meanwhile, the eviction proceedings have been suspended.

Coun Derek Boden welcomed the suspension of the eviction proceedings. He said: "We are beginning to see a momentum developing in our favour.

"We have the support of both our MPs and they continue to influence the Government.

"I am sure there will be more setbacks but local people have shown they are not prepared to sit back and see the area they call home disappear."

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