29th February 2008, 08/53
Views will help shape the future for Ormskirk and
Burscough
A major community consultation exercise has taken place to find out
residents' views on how to improve Ormskirk and Burscough.
As part of the Market Towns Initiative, which aims to revitalise
the two towns and surrounding areas, local people, businesses and
young people were asked for their ideas on what they thought would
give the places a new lease of life.
The response rate was excellent and many people gave additional
useful comments about local issues.
Now, partnerships for the towns are looking at suggestions made by
the community and will take into account all views when putting the
finishing touches to the final action plans. The plans will
highlight what projects should be taken forward to address the four
key themes: social, environmental, transport and local economy
issues.
Some issues that people in Burscough gave high priority to include
addressing solutions to flooding and foul water; better public
transport to Southport and Ormskirk hospitals; car parks; more
visible local policing; development of the Wharf building for
community benefit and economic regeneration; better facilities for
youths; and more GP provision for the area.
Some issues that people in Ormskirk gave high priority to include
attracting a wider range of quality shops; more affordable housing;
more focus on crime related issues; keeping litter off our streets;
protecting the Green Belt; preserving historic buildings;
integrated transport and quality bus routes and various issues
associated with Edge Hill University.
These views and more are available on request and can be found on
our Market Towns Initiative pages.
Cllr Ian Grant, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Planning,
said: "We'd just like to say a big thank you to everybody who took
the time to fill in the questionnaires and give us their views.
We're delighted that we had such a huge response and such
interesting comments and views. All these will be taken into
consideration when we put together the final action plans to
revitalise the two towns."
The Market Towns Initiative is a major regeneration project and has
been funded by the North West Development Agency through the Local
Strategic Partnership's Investing in Business Regeneration
Programme. If anyone would like more information about the project
visit our Market Towns Iniative pages,
call us on 01695 585393, or write to us at Market Town Initiative,
West Lancashire District Council, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39
2DF.
Related information
> Regeneration projects