Improved lighting on Garswood Street

Following a particularly violent robbery at the Going Places Travel Agency during which a knife was held to the throat of an employee shopkeepers in Garswood Street called for additional security features to make the local environment safer for shop workers and customers.

The businesses voiced their concerns to the Ashton Business Forum and called for action to be taken to address on street security with particular reference to the poor street lighting.

I was horrified when I heard the full details of what had happened during the robbery at the Going Places Travel Agency and impressed upon the Council the serious nature of the assault and how worried shopkeepers were deeply concerned that a similar incident could happen again.I am delighted that the Council have acted so quickly to improve the lighting in this street.

In the picture is Anne Lawrenson of Anne's Fruit shop outside her shop.

Mayoral recognition for the Town Green volunteers

As representatives of the Town Green Residents group Ann Rampling and Ruth Green were invited as my guests to the mayor's reception in October. This was to show appreciation by Wigan Council for their hard work in creating this award winning garden

It was my pleasure yesterday to present the certificates from the mayor to Ann and Ruth in the splendid garden the group has created. As anyone who has visited this garden will agree the group deserve this recognition for all the hard unpaid work they have done over the past few years.

Road works in Gerard Street / Warrington Road / Bryn Street, Ashton

Carriageway resurfacing will be undertaken shortly at the following locations which will involve closures. The work is programmed to take place on 3 consecutive Sundays commencing on 15th November 2009.

(i) Gerard Street closed from Princess Road to Bryn Street.
(ii) Warrington Road closed from Liverpool Road to Heath Road.
(iii) Bryn Street closed from Gerard Street to a point 50 metres in a northerly direction.

Note – Gerard Street will not be closed at the same time as Warrington Road and Bryn Street.

Alternative routes
(i) Gerard Street via Bryn Street, Wigan Road
(ii) Warrington Road via Liverpool Road, East Lancashire Road, Lodge Lane
(ii) Bryn Street via Gerard Street, Wigan Road. (HM)

Update from the PACT team

The following action has been taken to improve the environment in the Ashton area last month.

Fly tipping
There has been some fly tipping opposite the Queens Club in Ashton which Cleansing have responded to and the situation will be monitored.

Dog Fouling
NHT have received a complaint regarding dog fouling in the St Oswald’s Road/ Townfields area. and are investigating.

Graffiti
Seven incidents of graffiti have been removed from four locations at Liverpool Road, adjacent to Cleveland Drive, the rear of the Queen’s Pub and St Oswalds Road.

Litter
Several complaints have been received regarding litter in the following areas: Council Avenue, St Oswalds Road, Townfields, The Cleansing Team are focussing on Hilton Street Car park on a daily basis at present as rubbish is being deposited nightly. This area will be monitored.

If you know of anywhere in Ashton that needs cleaning please contact me.

Ashton Town Centre Litter Campaign

A very high profile litter campaign is being planned for Ashton Town Centre at the beginning of December. This campaign will be welcomed by the many residents who complain to me that the town centre needs a good clean up.

Below are the details of the campaign which will focus on Gerrard Street, Wigan Road, Garswood Road and Market area

The PACT team will liaise with the cleansing department identify issues and complaints that they have received for inclusion

The Campaign will focus around key dates - Tuesday 1st December and Sat 5th December when there will be a high visibility presence in the guise of Banana Skin man and enforcement patrols.

There will be advice and help on the Campaign Market Stall from 11am - 3pm.

In the week prior to the Campaign high profile fixed penalty notices will be erected on lamp posts in Town Centre i.e. on Friday 27th Nov.

Wigan Council will develop an educational campaign strategy for schools which Banana Skin Man will support where possible.

I wish the PACT team every success with this campaign.

Reasons to be cheerful

The result of the Glasgow by-election last night is as follows:

Labour 12.231
SNP 4,120
Cons 1075
BNP 1013

The Mayor comes to Ashton

The Mayor Mark Aldred and his wife Karen visited Ashton Library last Thursday to receive a cheque for £320 that the Ashton Knitting group had raised for the Mayor's Charity.

Pictured above is the Mayor and Mayoress receiving the cheque from Susan Garlick member of the Knitting group.

Jubilee Park - renewal of play equipment

The work to upgrade the play equipment on Jubilee Park has now begun and improvement in the drainage is now taking place before the installation of the new equipment.

As can be seen (just) from the notice below the work should take nine weeks.