TYLDESLEY used to be a thriving place to shop on Fridays and Saturdays with the meat markets and fruit and veg stalls.

Now so much has gone and businesses and pubs are struggling.

I think the biggest problem is that residents and visitors can’t easily access their hard-earned cash in Tyldesley, so they would rather shop elsewhere.

There are only two ATMs in Tyldesley and the one at Lloyds Bank will soon be going as it is closing in late July.

That will only leave one, at Monks TB&D newsagents.

Aldi and Heron Foods had theirs taken away due to the spate of robberies and thefts in Tyldesley in recent times.

Morrisons used to have two cash machines and the Co-op had one before they closed down.

This leaves people having to rely on the Post Office and the one cash machine at Monks TB&D newsagents, with long queues common on Saturdays.

Councillors were supposed to be relying on the new bus route to attract more people to Tyldesley town centre to help businesses.

Yet when they get here it is so difficult to get money out.

How far do people have to travel to get their own money?

The town centre is becoming a laughing stock.

It would be great if the council could respond to this.

SM Bruno

Tyldesley

I TOTALLY agree that the lack of ATMs in Tyldesley is damaging to the local economy and is a huge inconvenience to residents, which undermines our priority to make the experience for shoppers more pleasant and rewarding.

In June last year B&M Bargains expressed its firm intention to install an ATM and we hope this promise will be delivered soon.

Unfortunately however the provision of ATMs is a matter for the private sector and we are very limited in what we can do about it.

I also share residents’ concerns about the recent robberies and the perceived lack of high profile policing in Tyldesley.

We are experiencing this problem due to the current staffing shortfall arising out of government cuts to Greater Manchester Police’s budget, but I want to reassure residents that our local police are doing their utmost to protect us both in our homes and while we are out and about in the community.

Residents can share their concerns on the new GMP Leigh, Atherton and Hindley webpage, as well as using the normal channels for reporting crimes.

Tyldesley Cllr Nazia Rehman

Lead member for community and family safety

Editor’s note: Cllr Rehman’s comment above is in response to several recent letters regarding the ATM shortage in Tyldesley