SOME time ago you published my letter about the developments in the town centre, I am therefore obliged to send a follow-up after reading what Graham Harding claims to be a successful development of the town centre. Where does he live, in outer space.

Blackburn town centre is now made up of a fragmented bus station (right) overflowing to Ainsworth Street and Penny Street, a sprawling fragmented college taking up much space that might allow access in and out of town.

A market with a lovely variety of fruit, meat and millions of anoraks and jeans, no wonder people pop to Bury or other more attractive markets.

Next a 'pedestrianised' area with more vehicles on it than the M6 motorway, and still with us the subject of my original letter, the Sudell Cross section that carries grid locks from Blakey Moor, through Sudell Cross, on to Barbara Castle Way and further. The present road system has been good for my health, for if I have to go to town I now walk - it's quicker, I wish I could say safer.

However, I first have to get out of the maze of cars parked along Carlinghurst Road and the Montague Street area left by those walking to town and not tempted by the wonderful facilities of the park on the Feilden Street corner. Then the dreadful Mincing Lane crossing - there are so many cars in a jam there, pollution must cause the parrots in the nearby pet shop to fall from their perches, poisoned.

And to get from King Street to Church Street or Cardwell Place is equal to a test in the Krypton Factor. If you are in a car and daring enough to use it the car park (if room) is only for the brave.

The Crystal Maze must be easier to enter.

Oh, yes, Mr Harding you got it right and I hope you get out of Calderstones soon.

I have just returned from Fuertuventura, a barren mostly undeveloped island. Why not go there and wreck havoc, you could really go to town there - and take the planning people with you.

Do try and visit Blackburn to see your results. Once will do, you won't want to go again.

T HOWARTH (Mr), Carlinghurst Road, Blackburn.

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