Councillor David Wilkinson outside Daisy Hill railway station

The timetable for the new Sunday service from Daisy Hill has been unveiled.

The service will run from Wigan to Manchester. It starts in May and is expected to run as a 12-month trial.

Westhoughton councillor David Wilkinson, who sits on Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA), supported the decision.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “I fully support this new service and I hope that Westhoughton residents will get behind the trial and make it a success.”

You can download the full timetable in PDF format by clicking here.

It follows an announcement by Labour chiefs at Bolton Town Hall that the road is not a priority and will not be resurfaced.

Councillor Julia Silvester and the Liberal Democrat team have been battling for the road to be repaired before it gets even worse.

Julia said: “I have been a strong campaigner for improving the neglected roads in Westhoughton, and Allenby Grove is no exception.”

Fellow councillor David Wilkinson added: “We visit Allenby Grove just last week and we can already see that it has deteriorated once again.”

Julia’s team has asked the council to reconsider its original verdict for a second time.

Since our last Focus some residents have been in touch to say how much they appreciate our efforts.

Julia said: “I know it must be very frustrating for residents when they see the council just doesn’t care about their road.”

“But they are not alone. We recently uncovered a £50million backlog of repairs across the borough.”

The massive waiting list is blamed on Labour’s neglect of our roads and footpaths.

It was only the Liberal Democrat team who wanted to invest extra money into repair work.

Tory councillors refused to support the idea, because it was suggested by the Lib Dems.

We will keep you informed.

Our recent survey has revealed 75% of residents think we need more Police on the beat.

But they will be shocked to hear of Labour’s funding plans means that 300 Bobbies will disappear from the beat in Greater Manchester this year.

Julia said: “The thin blue line just got even thinner. Labour has failed us on law and order.”

Councillor Julia Silvester had complained about the drain after residents contacted her and the Lib Dem team about the problem.

It is being blamed on a blocked sewer in Leigh Road, which when it rains heavy is forcing water out of the gully grid – rather than in!

Julia said: “It’s about time United Utilities sorted this out. The water runs all the way down Leigh Road to the Hartford Road roundabout.”

“Some residents have told me how they have been soaked by passing vehicles going through the dirty water.”

The repair work will be carried out from the 9th March.

Our recent Focus article about the safety fears

SAFETY fears have been sparked at a number of Westhoughton locations.

Residents of the Wigan Road area have told how they fear crossing the road sometimes because of the heavy traffic.

Julia Silvester has asked the council to look into improving pedestrian safety.

The speed limit of 40mph at Hart Common is currently under review after a campaign by dedicated residents of that area.

It follows an accident in 2009 involving a youngster who was crossing at the Wearish Lane junction.

Julia said: “Heavy or speeding traffic can often be a problem in Westhoughton and we need to do what we can to tackle these issues.”

Traffic calming measures along The Hoskers have halted problems with speeding vehicles after a long-battle by residents and Julia’s team.

The crash scene on Church Street

A dramatic car crash has forced the closure of Church Street.

A woman was standing outside Rightstyle Fitted Bedrooms and Kitchens, in Church Street, at 5.45pm on Sunday when a driver lost control of his car.

The road may be closed until Thursday, we understand.

The shop was badly damaged after the car hit a supporting beam. The passerby was trapped under rubble and was released by firefighters who feared the building may collapse.

The 516/517 is being diverted along Market St/Bolton Rd/Manchester Rd and the 715 is missing out Church St and Market St whilst the road is closed.

The UK under a blanket of snow and ice. ource: University of Dundee. (Credit: NEODAAS/University of Dundee)

GMPTE is advising passengers to expect disruptions to public transport services to continue today, due to the severe frost.

Most bus services are operating, but main roads continue to be the best served routes. Metrolink services are running but with delays. Rail operators will continue to operate as full a service as possible.

Disruptions in Bolton include:

• 501 The service is currently operating one way only from moss bank way to Vernon st then normal route. Moss Bank – Farnworth journeys will operate normal route

• 510 The service is currently operating between Bury Interchange from 07:30 until 17:30 to Ainsworth Village, on an hourly frequency. Returning from Ainsworth village 8am hourly until 6pm

• 519 Operating between Moss Bank Way roundabout and Bolton only (currently unable to serve Johnson Fold)

• 561/2 Service is suspended until further notice.

• 575 Service is currently operating between Horwich The Crown and Bolton

• 597 Leigh to Leigh Sports Village Service currently suspended

This list was supplied by GMPTE at 8am on Saturday morning, and will be subject to change.

Bus passengers are advised to check the following websites:

www.arrivabus.co.uk

www.finglands.co.uk/

www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/northwest/manchester/service_disruptions/

www.southlancs.com

www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdates.aspx

Manchester Road... on a quiet day

Calls for new islands along Manchester Road to help pedestrians cross have been turned down.

Derek Gradwell’s Liberal Democrat team asked the council to consider new pedestrian refuges after some residents contacted us to say how dangerous the road can be.

The section of road in question is from Chequerbent roundabout to the White Horse traffic lights.

The council refused the request because they say there are few recorded accidents along this stretch, and none have involved pedestrians.

Derek said: “The council’s response will do little to allay the fears of residents. That’s why I will be continuing to campaign for improvements.”

Derek’s team has since put forward another request, this time for central hatchings and the council said that it will look into the idea.

Hatchings are zig-zagged white lines painted in the centre of the road, which means cars must not drive through that area, allowing a small refuge for those wishing to cross the road.

A chicane along Tempest Road, Chew Moor

Safety concerns have been raised over the chicanes that run through Chew Moor.

Derek Gradwell’s Liberal Democrat team has received a number of concerned calls from Chew Moor residents who question the safety of the chicanes.

The traffic calming measures were put in place quite some time ago to deter speeding cars. Humps were also installed, along with a 20mph zone.

But some residents now say that they actually encourage speeding, when drivers attempt to beat the oncoming traffic.

Our picture was taken of a smashed bollard at one of the chicanes and people say it is evidence that accidents are occuring in these locations.

Residents are particularly concerned about the chicane closest to St John’s church.

Updates will be posted to this website when we get them, and to our Twitter and Facebook. You can also discuss the bin collections on the discussion board in Facebook.

The council has issued the following statement: “Bolton Council services for today (6 January) and tomorrow (7 January) during the severe weather. Further heavy snow is expected to fall during the evening and overnight, according to the Met Office, which may affect council services.

Bin collections

Bin collections have been suspended in Bolton today due to the weather. Staff are in work and are gritting and clearing town centre footpaths.

Gritting

Council staff have been gritting and ploughing continually all night and all day today. Due to the volume and depth of snow, the council is concentrating on the main arterial and ring roads, in order to concentrate resources where they will have the most impact. This means that some of the minor roads on the approved gritting routes will not be receiving any attention in the short term. The roads being prioritised are:

All of the A6
Blackburn Rd
St Peters Way
Belmont Rd
Chorley Old Rd
Crompton Way
Scout Rd
Chorley New Rd
Bury Rd
Newbrook Rd
Wigan Rd
St Helens Rd
De Havilland Way
Snydle Way
Leigh Rd
Cricketers Way
Watergate Ln
Smethurst Ln
Bradford Rd
Manchester Rd A666
Church St, Little Lever
Market S,t Little Lever
Stopes Rd, Little Lever
Tonge Moor Road
Hall Lane, Little Lever

Staff will continue gritting around the clock on the main arterial and ring roads until it is safe to reduce the service to its optimal level and address the other roads on the gritting routes. Ploughs will be deployed where snow is two inches deep or greater. All available streetscene and waste management staff have also been out clearing footpaths in the town centres all day.

Schools

Schools which have already planned to close tomorrow can be found on the council website.

Social care

Social care support is being maintained for the most vulnerable people. Those who receive home care services are being contacted individually to receive support.

The ‘meals on wheels’ (community meals) service will be limited but emergency arrangements are in place if needed.

Day care services are expected to be closed for the rest of the week, depending upon the weather.

Social services helpdesk and advice line will be open.

The child protection service will be working.

The council is also asking for anybody who has a vulnerable neighbour to check on them and make sure they are alright and if there is anything they might need.

Libraries and museum

All libraries due to to be open today are open as normal. Highfield Library will be closed tomorrow. Bolton Museum will remain closed today.

Planning Committee meeting

Due to the weather we have had to cancel this weeks Planning Committee meeting tomorrow. It has been rearranged for Thursday 14 January.