NEXT Thursday, the County Council will make a decision on the Heysham M6 link.

The City Council will meet on Tuesday in order to give the County its views.

Whether to have a link and, if so, whether it should take the Western or the Northern route, is one of the most passionately debated local issues.

We will have new information in the form of environmental and economic impact assessments, and it is important, therefore, that next week's debate concentrates on these issues and isn't distracted.

Sadly, Green councillors John Whitelegg and Jonathon Sear are busily engaged in just such obfuscation.

Red herring number one comes from County Cllr Sear, who has argued that there is some procedural irregularity in the City's meeting. Bunkum!

It has been known for some time that the county planned a decison on September 2. As soon as it confirmed to the city it would be sticking to this timetable, the mayor was asked for a special meeting. We told the press and got notices to councillors as quickly as possible.

City councillors will get all the detailed documents the day after the county publishes them and the meeting is taking place as late as possible to allow time for study.

Red herring number two comes from Cllr Whitelegg, who argues that there is not public support for the principle of a Heysham M6 link and that city and county statements are based on a flawed survey. More bunkum!

He may disagree with the majority view but there is little doubt about what that view is.

Cllr Whitelegg may want to argue that city and county should ignore those views and I respect his right to do so. He is not entitled to distort them.

We know what the issues are and we will get new information this week. I hope that, in the debates we can concentrate on the merits of the Western or Northern route or no route at all, rather than these distractions.

Cllr Ian Barker, leader, Lancaster city council.