PUBLIC relations and common sense were the major and tragic casualties in the 'Battle of Blackburn' held in Witton Park this last weekend.

Taken completely by surprise, many local residents, using the park for their legitimate recreational purposes, were confronted by the invasion of a pseudo-military force who put up barricades, set up their encampment and posted sentries to deny access to all who dared to exercise their rights.

Footpaths, open for over 30 years, were blocked and manned by pickets in civilian clothes, who wore no means of identification and, until much later in the day, carried no written authority.

Surprisingly, for what had been planned as their major campaign, Blackburn with Darwen Council failed to advertise the event locally. More importantly, they had not informed park users or local residents of the restrictions which were about to be placed upon them for the next full seven days.

A small legal notice, dated July 12, and published in the Evening Telegraph did provide details of path closures but no further information.

Posters were not displayed at the park gates or elsewhere warning of the repressive measures yet to be applied, nor the details of the planned battle.

Evidence of total lack of advance information provided is shown by the large number of confrontations between civilians and the occupying force.

Matters got worse as an 'Iron Curtain' (three metres high and virtually impregnable) descended around Witton Park allowing restricted access to important areas

It became apparent that charges were to be imposed on all visitors, whether they wished to have anything to do with the military manoeuvres or not.

Battles are inherently noisy affairs but when inquiries were made to the relevant council department it was obvious that no measures of noise monitoring and abatement had been considered or implemented. This in spite of two residential homes for elderly folk, along with many homes of local residents, being within about 400 metres of the proposed battlefield.

Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman, Carl Hutton, stated that it was going to be a noisy affair. More particularly he stated that local residents had received a letter from the council setting out arrangements for the weekend.

Inquiries made of my neighbours and those slightly further afield, have failed to find any trace of this communique from battle headquarters. Please can we be told why?

Witton Park is a valuable local asset belonging to the residents of Blackburn and administered on their behalf by the council. By all means use it to its full potential, but not to the detriment of those who make full use of it throughout the year and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this legally protected country park.

So when something important is planned for the park inform the local residents and park users about it in good time, respect their rights, reduce inconvenience and take measures to protect their interests and well being.

By ignoring these simple points and acting in a dictatorial fashion the council was defeated in the 'Battle of Blackburn' -- even before the first shot was fired.

ALWYN DAVIS, Preston Old Road, Blackburn.

FOOTNOTE: A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said that 1,000 letters, detailing arrangements for the event, were distributed in the area.