The Conservative administration made a commitment that regeneration would reach out to all areas of the borough, and continue to prioritise this investment despite the challenging economic times we live in. And now, progress has been achieved in Horwich, Little Lever and Westhoughton to prioritise projects to receive a share of £16m town centre regeneration funding.
At the end of January, members of the Town Centre steering groups - that the Conservatives launched and to be chaired by local people -each met to endorse the priority projects and these will take the initial steps towards delivering regenerations masterplans for each town of Bolton.
Leader of the Bolton Council, Councillor David Greenhalgh said:
It is fantastic to see the key development priorities in Little Lever, Westhoughton and Horwich being approved with the councils £16m committed funding. These boards are chaired and run by locally elected councillors with participation from local businesses and residents who have worked together to determine achievable and deliverable development proposals for the best of their town.
The work done in these district centres align with the Bolton Vision 2030 of creating a vibrant place, built on strong cohesive communities, successful business and healthy residents.
Now, approval is being sought to further develop projects and to firm up costs for implementation alongside the delivery of some ‘quick win’ projects.
The improvements are part of Conservative Bolton Council’s package of support to kick start town centre regeneration in Farnworth, Kearsley, Horwich, Little Lever and Westhoughton town centres.
Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Martyn Cox said:
Our ambitious plans are for the benefit of the whole of Bolton and we want to see district towns prosper which is why we committed this £16m funding. Each district has shown their commitment to developing a priority list following consultation and creating a masterplan detailing their strategies and plans to meet challenges within their area. By working together we will make all areas of Bolton vibrant and vital.
Each town has carried out local consultation, developed a dedicated district centre strategy and masterplan which identified challenges and opportunities for their area and several key development proposals that will guide the long term regeneration of the district centres.
The regeneration of these towns will be broken down into two phases, with the first focussed on 'quick win' projects to bring immediate benefit to local residents and the second phase focusing on longer term ambitions for the towns.
Little Lever Priority Projects
- Improvements to major town centre gateways
- Signage
- Creating an improved pedestrian route through Memorial Gardens
- Public realm works to the square at Mytham Park
- Prevention of 'rat runs'
- Shop front improvement scheme
- Contribution to the new Little Lever Health Centre and Library
Horwich and Blackrod Priority Projects
- Improvement works to Lee Lane and Winter Hey Lane
- Improvements to Old Station Park including pedestrian and cycle links
- Public realm improvement works around Hampson Street
- Car parking strategy to assess future parking requirements
- Public realm improvement schemes in Blackrod
Westhoughton Priority Projects
- Improving pedestrian links to the town centre
- Car parking strategy
- An assessment of future requirements for remodelling Market Street
- Improvement works to Central Park
- Securing the future use of the Civic buildings
- bringing forward proposals for key development sites in the town centre.
Farnworth and Kearsley Priority Projects
- £4m to co-fund the recently awarded £13.3m Future High Streets funding from Government
- Redevelopment of the market precinct
- Creation of a new town square
- Potential for 200 homes and new leisure facilities
