16 January 2009, 09/09
Revitalising Ormskirk!
Exciting plans are to be unveiled to
give Ormskirk a new lease of life for the future.
As part of the Market Towns Initiative
- a major regeneration project led by West Lancashire District
Council and the local community and funded by the North West
Development Agency through the Local Strategic Partnership’s
Investing in Business Regeneration Programme - a final action plan
has been published to highlight what needs to be done to revitalise
the town.
The project was launched in 2006 and
the idea behind it was to find out from local people what ideas
they had in mind to improve Ormskirk. It involved extensive
consultation with residents, businesses and young people and the
community did a brilliant job in getting involved and giving their
views.
Now the plans have been finalised and
highlight what projects should be taken forward to address the four
key themes: social, environmental, transport and local economy
issues.
Already some of the work highlighted
in the action plan has started, such as improvements to the outdoor
market; coach parking facilities; improvements to the railway
station; volunteers to help litter pick; and the creation of the
Ormskirk Community Partnership, which is to be officially launched
on 6 February.
This new partnership, which is made up
solely of local people, will be responsible for helping to take
forward the action plans and identify external funding to carry out
some of the work. Primarily they will focus on the town centre
being developed to meet the needs of local people and visitors;
measures to reduce traffic congestion and improve and road safety
being made a priority; protection of the Green Belt; improved
health and safety for local people; improved public transport and
better facilities for cyclists, pedestrians and people with
disabilities; and ensuring that Edge Hill is seen as an asset to
the town and that students live in harmony with the local
community.
Cllr Martin Forshaw, Portfolio Holder
for Planning and Transport, said: "In spite of today’s economic
climate we have put together realistic plans that will revitalise
Ormskirk and address the issues that matter the most to local
people. It has involved lots of community participation and if it
wasn’t for their enthusiasm and ideas we wouldn’t be at this very
exciting stage. We have already carried out some of the work listed
in the plans and I’m confident that the Ormskirk Community
Partnership will do a great job in bringing some of these ideas to
fruition."
Residents can find out more about the
partnership and the future plans for Ormskirk at their launch event
on 6 February at the Ormskirk Community Centre, next to Chapel
Gallery, off St Helens Road. There is an exhibition between 3pm and
6pm and then a presentation and buffet at 7pm.
Bryan Pready, acting Chair of Ormskirk
Community Partnership, added: "This is a great opportunity for
local people to join in and help make Ormskirk an even better place
for everyone to live and work. It’s been great to see how many
people have contributed ideas and comments to the plan, and how
well it’s been received by the Council and other bodies. With more
support we shall certainly be able to make more of these ideas a
reality."
A similar action plan has been
prepared for Burscough in partnership with the Parish Council,
Burscough Moving Forward and other organisations. The Council and
partners will be looking at how to take these action plans forward
too.
The documents can be found
on our Market Towns Initiative. For more information
about the project you can also contact 01695 585166 or write to
Peter Bradford, Market Town Initiative, West Lancashire District
Council, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39 2DF.
Related
information