MR Riley's letter of April 25 is highly misleading. There is absolutely no question of access to planning documents being denied, rather the contrary, as access has been greatly improved over the last 12 months following the implementation of the council's e-planning service.

The point is that anyone with an interest in current planning applications can now look at submitted plans from the comfort of their home, business, or local library, without the bother of having to trek to Bolton Town Hall.

For those who don't have access to the internet, then the planning department reception does have help-screens available to let them look at the plans, and there is a receptionist on hand to help if customers are not familiar with computers.

The fact is that many planning applications are now submitted electronically and so there are no paper files to look at, only the electronic ones I have mentioned. If customers do want paper copies of plans, they can print them at home or they can be printed at the Town Hall.

On a final note, the council has received many plaudits for its e-planning service which has greatly improved the way customers can access an important council activity.

Cllr N Peel, Chair Planning and Highways Committee