JUST as Tony Blair had his sights set on WMD in Iraq, St Helens council seem quite open about their WMD (Wholesale Motorist Discrimination) agenda.

So it seems congratulations to St Helens Highways Dept are in order as the latest set of Haydock traffic lights at Church Road/Piele Road are commissioned.

Just as at Clipsley Lane/Haydock Lane, traffic is controlled (stopped) in line with council and government policy. Not even buses are immune to this treatment.

Pollution, even from modern cars, increases on tickover and cars automatically go to tickover when stationary with engine running. Thus as one Labour 'shoulder chip', hatred of motorists, is slavishly and remorselessly adhered to, another supposed principal, care of the environment, is conveniently rolled into the long grass. Sadly neither of these road junctions needed control, but they evidently created two opportunities for the 'pink planners' to bring road users to heel.

I have driven cars in Haydock for over 30 years and never have I had a problem with either junction. On day one of the Church Road/Piele Road lights traffic continually was backed up on Church Road to allow one or two cars out of Piele Road. Meanwhile at Vista Road the maintenance-free mini-roundabout allowed traffic-free access in all directions.

But although cars and lorries are responsible for the vast majority of wealth brought to St Helens they are treated like pariahs by the council. Bus lanes, which are a major irritant to other road users, are given preference over all else even though they are used only occasionally.

Cyclists pay nothing towards the upkeep of roads (no road tax, insurance or MOT) yet cycle lanes take precedence over all other road users and are allowed to take up much needed road width. Yet I must confess I have never seen a cyclist using a cycle track.

But all in all the new traffic lights at Piele Road have, in the eyes of the council, been a resounding success in the drive against the dreaded motorist!

H. ATKINSON, Brookside Close, Haydock.