I WRITE in reply to Mr K Spencer of Chorley (LET, July 21) concerning the duck problem at Rhodes Avenue.

Without living in the area, how can he comment on the pros and cons of having the duck pond nearby?

The houses on Rhodes Avenue were built long before the Fairclough houses and pond.

Many Rhodes Avenue residents opposed the building of the houses and Blackburn Council turned down the application but this was overturned by the Secretary of State and we have had the pond and ducks foisted on us with no say whatsoever.

The pond and surrounding areas are a disgrace.

The ducks breed from spring throughout the summer and they wander far from the pond in search of food - including crossing main roads. They pose a traffic hazard and place themselves in danger.

Mr Spencer comments on children watching the ducks with their offspring - how does he feel about children seeing dead ducks at the roadside, ducklings falling down drains, ducklings drowned in an old water-filled bowl in an overgrown garden with the mother duck returning repeatedly to her dead babies.

These are all things that my children have seen.

Perhaps someone from Blackburn Council or Fairclough Homes would like to comment on this.

NAME and address received

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