FIRSTLY I would like to commend Peter Boulton of Transport for Greater Manchester who has thanked all those who took part in his question section.

If you have not seen the question and answer section it makes interesting reading.

In answer to the question would a tram or railway cost the same as the busway, he answered that there isn't the land available – this on a former double track railway line that had stations.

Strange that Oldham and Rochdale found room on former track beds to build tram lines.

Also a look at the dreadful muddy site can see the busway in places doubles the footprint of the original trackbed.

He goes on to say that rail would require a subsidy.

While that may be true it would only be subsidised if the service was essential and could not pay its way.

The same rule applies to buses, however the trams cannot receive any subsidies, and this rule has been in place since the Metrolink was first built.

I was also amazed at the answer to a question pointing out recent surveys have been negative to the busway and its disruption, he asserted that we don't think the survey is representative of all public opinion, really!

The pages of this and other publications have been full of letters for years mostly negative towards the scheme.

So in order to prove them wrong, I think that all those who believe this is a good scheme, will benefit the area, stop the traffic chaos and be a roaring profitable non-subsidised success should write letters to this paper and the editor should fill the letters page with the comments.

Obviously, if you have a vested interest that should be declared, for example I am a councillor, contractor, potential bus owner etcetera.

I look forward to hearing the thousands of views TfGM say I am missing.

One more question not answered by TfGM. How do they expect to eliminate the traffic congestion on Astley Street and Hough Lane which travels north to south, when the busway goes east to west?

The traffic on those roads is unlikely to be heading the same direction as the busway.

In fact since all buses to Bolton via Atherton station were withdrawn those people heading in that direction have far fewer options.

John Stirzaker