Unify Credit Union is warning people in Wigan and Leigh to avoid doorstep lenders and loan sharks as a way of dealing with the post Christmas financial hangover. A report by Circle Anglia has shown that over 100,000 people resorted to loan sharks to finance their Christmas spending and many more have obtained loans from high interest doorstep lenders charging in excess of 184% interest.
Carol Isherwood, Chair of Unify said ‘We are aware that many people borrowed from high cost lenders leading up to Christmas and are struggling to make their weekly repayments. Unify can help and if you are in this position, you need to give us a call on 01942 701706. ‘
Unify Credit Union is working in partnership with Trading Standards and the Illegal Money Lending Team to offer an alternative to residents of Wigan and Leigh. Unify provides low cost loans costing from just 1% per month (12.7% APR) and encourages members to start saving towards next Christmas.
A loan of £500 from a doorstep lender costs £17.50 per week at an interest rate of 272.2% and you would end up paying £410.00 in interest!
A Unify Saver loan for £500.00 would cost £10.60 per week, with an interest rate of 12.7% and the total interest would be £29.98, saving a massive £380.02!
Unify, regulated by the Financial Services Authority, now has over 4000 members using their services across the borough and has plans to open a new office in Leigh town centre in the coming weeks.
For further information telephoned 01942 701706 or 01942 517894 or call into the main branch at Smithy Green in Ince.
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Monday 11 January 2010
Bin collections - latest information
I have just been talking to Wigan Council who have informed me that the bins will be collected as normal from tomorrow. Unfortunately the Monday collection will not be done until next Monday. They tell me that excess rubbish will also be collected.
Transport - latest news
GMPTE is advising passengers to expect the ongoing disruptions to public transport services to continue on Sunday, with temperatures likely to stay well below freezing and the possibility of light snow showers.
Many bus services have been operating today, but main roads continue to be the best served routes. Metrolink services are running and rail operators will continue to operate as a full a service as possible.
Information about service levels will be made available over the course of the day.
Bus passengers are advised to check www.arrivabus.co.uk, http://www.finglands.co.uk/, www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northwest/manchester/service_disruptions/, www.rossendalebus.co.uk/serviceupdate/index.html, www.southlancs.com, www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates.aspx, http://www.trentbarton.co.uk/news-and-media/travel-updates.aspx and www.warringtonboroughtransport.co.uk/indexnew.htm for bus service updates.
Rail passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for service updates before travelling.
For the latest advice from Greater Manchester Police, log on to www.gmp.police.uk.
Northern Rail
Sunday 10 January
A normal timetable will be in operation on all routes
Passengers are advised to check for up to date train running information, before travelling, online via Northern’s Live Departures page https://www.northernrail.org/travel/livedepartures or by phoning National Rail Enquiries on 08453 017 641, or Northern Rail’s Customer Relations team on 0845 00 00 125.
Passengers travelling to airports for flights should check with their airline, as flights may also be affected.
Known disruptions to bus services
First Manchester
Wigan
600 - Wigan to Leigh The service is currently not operating along Old Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield due to parked cars and ice conditions.
621/628 this service cannot use Helvelyn Road due to the icy condition.
Wigan Buses
611 - will try to operate via normal route, subject to Back Lane being clear and not icy
Many bus services have been operating today, but main roads continue to be the best served routes. Metrolink services are running and rail operators will continue to operate as a full a service as possible.
Information about service levels will be made available over the course of the day.
Bus passengers are advised to check www.arrivabus.co.uk, http://www.finglands.co.uk/, www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northwest/manchester/service_disruptions/, www.rossendalebus.co.uk/serviceupdate/index.html, www.southlancs.com, www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates.aspx, http://www.trentbarton.co.uk/news-and-media/travel-updates.aspx and www.warringtonboroughtransport.co.uk/indexnew.htm for bus service updates.
Rail passengers are advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for service updates before travelling.
For the latest advice from Greater Manchester Police, log on to www.gmp.police.uk.
Northern Rail
Sunday 10 January
A normal timetable will be in operation on all routes
Passengers are advised to check for up to date train running information, before travelling, online via Northern’s Live Departures page https://www.northernrail.org/travel/livedepartures or by phoning National Rail Enquiries on 08453 017 641, or Northern Rail’s Customer Relations team on 0845 00 00 125.
Passengers travelling to airports for flights should check with their airline, as flights may also be affected.
Known disruptions to bus services
First Manchester
Wigan
600 - Wigan to Leigh The service is currently not operating along Old Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield due to parked cars and ice conditions.
621/628 this service cannot use Helvelyn Road due to the icy condition.
Wigan Buses
611 - will try to operate via normal route, subject to Back Lane being clear and not icy
Sunday 10 January 2010
Bin collection - new arrangements
From Monday 11th January, weather permitting Wigan Council is attempting an emergency bagged collection using smaller vehicles. These vehicles will transport the bagged waste to the refuse wagons at location points positioned within Monday's collection areas. To make you aware of these location points please see attachment. Please note this information relates to Monday's collections only, I will publish the relevant information for Tuesday's collections on Monday 11th January.
To assist collections from properties where the Council would normally collect from the rear of these properties it would be of great help if residents could place their bagged waste, if feasible, at the front of their properties as oppose to the back. This would greatly assist the teams in accessing as much bagged waste as possible, as the backs to these properties are very treacherous under foot.
REFUSE VEHICLE LOCATION POINTS FOR MONDAY
Landgate La Landgate
Downall Green Rd (Nr Downall Gr R.C. Primary School) Bryn
Cooke St off Downall Green Rd Bryn
Junction of Low Bank Rd / Whitledge Rd Ashton
Low Bank Rd (pit pony car park) Ashton
Woodedge (spare land opposite Alderton Dr) Ashton
Junction of Wigan Rd / Osbourne Road Ashton
Junction of Bryn Rd / Lockett Rd Ashton
Junction of Bolton / East St Stubshaw Cross
Junction of Warrington Rd / Park View Ashton
Gerard Shopping Precinct (car park)
To assist collections from properties where the Council would normally collect from the rear of these properties it would be of great help if residents could place their bagged waste, if feasible, at the front of their properties as oppose to the back. This would greatly assist the teams in accessing as much bagged waste as possible, as the backs to these properties are very treacherous under foot.
REFUSE VEHICLE LOCATION POINTS FOR MONDAY
Landgate La Landgate
Downall Green Rd (Nr Downall Gr R.C. Primary School) Bryn
Cooke St off Downall Green Rd Bryn
Junction of Low Bank Rd / Whitledge Rd Ashton
Low Bank Rd (pit pony car park) Ashton
Woodedge (spare land opposite Alderton Dr) Ashton
Junction of Wigan Rd / Osbourne Road Ashton
Junction of Bryn Rd / Lockett Rd Ashton
Junction of Bolton / East St Stubshaw Cross
Junction of Warrington Rd / Park View Ashton
Gerard Shopping Precinct (car park)
Gritting
I think most residents do realise that it is not possible to grit all roads in the Ashton area and Wigan Council's policy is to keep the main roads clear.
However, if readers of this blog think that there are areas that do need gritting because of special circumstances they should contact me with their concerns.
However, if readers of this blog think that there are areas that do need gritting because of special circumstances they should contact me with their concerns.
Happy New Freezing Year
I would like to wish my reader a happy new year.
As somebody who is only happy when the temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (not Fahrenheit) I am finding the present conditions particularly difficult.
The aim of this blog while this freezing weather lasts is to give information which I hope will help residents of Ashton and elsewhere in the area.
As somebody who is only happy when the temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (not Fahrenheit) I am finding the present conditions particularly difficult.
The aim of this blog while this freezing weather lasts is to give information which I hope will help residents of Ashton and elsewhere in the area.
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