ALTHOUGH I agree with your Comment (LET, December 12) that people tend to send letters of complaint about councils rather than praise, it must, however, surely be admitted that in the case of Blackburn Council they do seem to have a 'death wish' when it comes to attracting bad publicity.

One only has to remember the fiasco of Church Street and Lord Square. Then look at the traffic chaos caused on Railway Road, Jubilee Street, Darwen Street, Bolton Road and the Audley area, where there now exist problems where none ever existed before.

I wonder if the members of the Audit Commission actually walked round the town and took notice of the blatant disregard that the council has for pedestrians when it comes to traffic planning and highway maintenance.

Pedestrians are often expected to cross three roads in order to get where they want to go and usually left huddled in groups on little refuges in the middle of the traffic flow.

The pavements even in the 'prestigious' town centre are in such a dangerous condition that Blackburn taxpayers can look forward to millions of their hard-earned money being paid out in compensation claims.

It was interesting to note that Blackburn Council earned praise for the services for which they had little direct input and not for those which they are directly responsible.

I apologise most sincerely to Blackburn Council for sending yet another letter moaning about the standards of its services.

L LAWES, Bold Street, Blackburn.