MY wife and I have been running Market Street Meats in Atherton for 10 years now.

During this time we have worked really hard, long hours six days a week.

While trading we, like all other businesses in Market Street, have had to put up with all sorts of hindrances.

The first few years Market Street seemed to be dug up and resurfaced by every utility company there was.

Then we had to endure almost a full year of bridge work on Bolton Road.

Whilst this work was being carried out, several business, including ours, suffered terrible financial losses.

Just as we were getting back on our feet, the work started on the guided busway.

When this work began I contacted TfGM – I also contacted Network Rail when the bridge was closed – to see if we could be compensated due to loss of earnings.

The reply I received back from TfGM’s legal department was ‘you cannot claim compensation for passing trade’.

I tried to explain that we had a good trade between 7am and 9am but because of the road works in Atherton, Tyldesley and Astley our customers had to set off for work earlier.

During this three-year period a lot has been said and written about the virtues of the guided busway.

I’ve always thought it was a waste of taxpayers’ money and would do Atherton, Tyldesley and Leigh no good whatsoever.

The local councillors who approved of this project told us it would take hundreds of cars off the road and all the trade people who used to come to us for breakfast would come flooding back.

We were also told people would come in their multitudes to shop in Atherton, Tyldesley and Leigh.

I do not see busses travelling to Manchester in the morning, but people who do say they are at the most half full.

I do see them returning back from Manchester down Market Street, but the most people I have seen on the buses is about a dozen.

During this three-year period of work being carried out our business had been losing £250 to £280 per week.

I hope the councillors who wanted this so badly can tell me when this nightmare will end and we can get our customers back.

Peter Jones

Atherton