Treating the free bus passes for pensioners as a problem, Coun Cottam appears to have a very narrow view of things.

Most people who have worked hard all their lives should be looking forward to their twighlight years and not worrying about basic necessities like keeping warm, feeling safe and mobility needs.

It’s a pity you sold the bus company off not long ago to the people of France because according to your own figures you would have been £872,000 better off, less the £80,000 a year you were losing by not being able to run it properly in the first place.

The proposed bus lane is a barmy idea that will not address the real impending gridlock problem.

We need to get more people using public transport and off the roads with their two or three cars. You only need to go round all the new developments which, on an evening, resemble glorified car parks. Clearly Coun Cottam does not do what it says on the tin – regeneration and environment. You could kill two birds with one stone by being more visionary and looking at free public transport.

That would bring more people into the town and be very good for the environment. It would put Blackburn firmly in the spotlight in a more positive way and give the people of Blackburn something to be proud of, unlike our hospital, but that’s another story.

C Hall, Great Harwood.