I wonder how many letters you may have received raising concerns about the general neglect of towns and villages around Bury.

I wanted to raise an issue with you, that I will also raise with Bury Council and Mr James Daly.

I live in Sydney, Australia, and in July 2022 was able to return home to see my parents in Holcombe Brook, this was my first trip since 2019 due to Covid restrictions, whereas I used to visit annually.

I was shocked, as was my wife, at the general unkempt nature of the neighbourhood, the poor quality of road surfaces including sizeable potholes, general littering and discarded goods left on pavements and perhaps most strikingly large weeds growing in suburban roads and through the pavements.

It looks as if the council has given up or simply forgotten its duties to sweep the streets and spray weedkiller and so on.

My parents, who are almost 90, are very upset by what they see as the abandonment of the environment and a general lack of care and consideration.

I wonder if Bury Council has any firm plans to address these issues and commence improving amenities. Spraying weedkiller on the pavements and roads would be a significant start as this really is an eyesore.

I hope to see a significant improvement when I return again in July 2023.

MARTIN BERRY