AS someone who has passionately campaigned (via the Bolton News) over recent years for both a Westhoughton by-pass and a Bolton Metrolink connection — Tuesday's edition contained positive news that both objectives might soon be achieved.

With Bolton Council leader Cllr Morris's long overdue apology for Labour's long-held opposition to a Westhoughton by-pass, saying ''I am sorry that it has taken so long, but at least we are doing something about it'' — even though they still have to move from their position of linking what should be a by-pass, into a link road funded by housing developments — which isn't acceptable.

It also doesn't help that Westhoughton councillors from both Labour and Lib/Dems have ignored their area's long held demands for a by-pass.

It has taken a positive campaign from Bolton West Conservative MP Chris Green and others like myself to get the issue raised elsewhere that has led to this outcome.

As for a Bolton Metrolink connection, that would provide additional/alternative capacity to the massive investment by the Conservative Government in our local rail infrastructure — the Conservative GM Mayoral candidate, Sean Anstee indicated that if elected he proposes ''to extend the Metrolink to areas of GM that currently miss out..potentially including Bolton''.

Again Bolton's Cabinet member for transport has ridiculed my own similar proposals for a Bolton Metrolink connection in the past, so, it seems that Bolton will only get additional capacity into Manchester if we elect Sean Anstee as GM Mayor in May.

Derek Bullock

Leigh Road

Westhoughton