THE possible introduction of fluoride to the local water supply has been a controversial issue in Bolton for several decades.

Lost in the mists of time there was a referendum that came down against and — if the letters column of this newspaper is any guide — there are still a great many people who oppose mass medication of this nature.

It has now emerged that NHS primary care trusts in Manchester, Bury, Trafford, Oldham, Tameside, Stockport, Ashton, Leigh and Wigan have asked NHS North-west to produce a fluoridation plan.

Those in charge of the Bolton trust — who cannot be unaware of the strength of local feeling — will present their recommendations to the board on October 22.

It seems to me that those of us in the “no” camp hold a vital card because nobody knows in the current financial melt-down whether there will ever be enough public money to provide the millions of pounds necessary to set up fluoridation through United Utilities, a privatised firm that has never shown much enthusiasm for the idea.

With possible protests and legal challenges, I doubt fluoridation, in spite of current moves, will happen any time soon.

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