JULIA SILVESTER

Labour have failed us on bins, failed us on roads, and failed us on community facilities.

The Tories have only ever propped up Labour in the town hall. The Tory candidate for Westhoughton North thinks Chew Moor is called ‘Chew Valley’ and the Tory candidate for Westhoughton South lives MILES AWAY in Astley Bridge.

Julia Silvester (South) and Derek Gradwell (North) are your local, Liberal Democrat candidates.

Julia has represented you since 2002 as your councillor, and Derek has represented you before. They are the local choice in this election.

Joining Julia and Derek is Jackie Pearcey, the woman fighting for a fresh new start for Bolton West. She wants to be an MP who really puts Westhoughton’s interests first when it comes to the national debate.

So today, Thursday 6th May, the choice is clear…

WESTHOUGHTON SOUTH – JULIA SILVESTER – X

WESTHOUGHTON NORTH & CHEW MOOR – DEREK GRADWELL – X

BOLTON WEST – JULIA SILVESTER – X

Education

• Educated to degree level with an Applied Social Studies degree, and undertaken a masters degree in Public Health/Health promotion

Career

• 15 years in banking and finance, which means I have an astute eye for the scrutiny of the council’s various budgets, and fighting for a for  fair share for the people of Westhoughton.

• Worked in further and higher education, and also ran a community education centre in a very deprived area of Bolton. So I am committed to good educational standards both for adults and children from all social classes.  I am conversant with the problems of adults trying to get back into education and training, as I worked for the Open University for four years helping people make a new start, and transform their lives.

• Twelve years in the health service, working in public health, as a champion to improve professional education, and designed good public health campaigns.  Helped  regarding the  improvement of some GP services for teenagers. Worked and consulted with disabled people. Formed a community network, so that local people had the best joined up local services, including the voluntary sector. I also set up services for the gay community.

• A very vocal member of the Health Scrutiny Committee, holding local leaders of NHS services to task.

Voluntary work

I have worked to help many people, from being on a hospital committee helping older patients have a better quality stay, to counselling women who suffer from domestic violence. In my role as a councillor I am on many voluntary committees, including one for blind and partially sighted people. I am a strong advocate for disabled peoples’ rights, and have served on a CAB management group for five years.

I have been the Liberal Democrat champion for diversity for eight years, working with the ethnic communities.

A carer myself, therefore understand the rigours, frustrations and ties of the caring role. Active member of Bolton carers Support, I feel strongly about issues like elder abuse and the protection of personal rights.

I am the Chair of the John Holt Steering group, forming  a plan to ensure  good quality of services and environment  for the future growth of the John Holt Youth and Community Centre on Washacre.

I am passionate about the Ward, and the maintenance of a good quality of environment and council services. Dedicated to my casework, always with a personal phone c all.

A governor at Eatock Primary School, for the last eight years.

Ward councillor for eight years, hard working, known for being very informed, keeping up with policy options, and ensuring an active questioning style in council meetings. I am a protagonist for more public toilets, and ensured Market Street toilets were upgraded.

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.

The move has been blamed on Labour bailing out the bankers, whilst local councils feel the heat.

Funding for Bolton’s NHS has been slashed meaning there are insufficient funds.

Julia Silvester, who has a wealth of experience in health issues, said: “This is a step backwards for all of those residents who were eager to see a new health facility for our community.”

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.”

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.

Image supplied by Ordnance Survey Election Maps Service. Image reproduced with the permission of Ordnance Survey. © Crown Copyright 2010

You have said it yourself, and you know it’s true – Westhoughton is forgotten.

Hundreds of residents from our hard-working community have got in touch with JULIA SILVESTER – the councillor fighting for a better deal for everyone who lives in Westhoughton South ward.

Councillor Julia Silvester

Julia conducted a survey of the community and the results are still flooding in.

Julia’s work is supported by fellow councillor David Wilkinson.

Locally-based Julia says that 2010 is the time for a real change if you are fed up with our area being treated second-rate.

Julia said: “This year is our chance to make a real difference. I know our area very well and I know the issues we are all facing together. I want to do something about it.” But Julia and David are not alone in their fight for our area.

They are joined by JACKIE PEARCEY who wants to represent you in Parliament. She’s tired of greedy MPs and fed up with Labour backing bankers and not the people.

Jackie said: “This year will be crucial. If you really want to boot Labour out of their cushy halls of power for good, then a vote for the Lib Dems is needed.”

“The Lib Dems are the only party to make such a strong commitment to wiping out the dirty politics we have all seen before our eyes.”

Jackie Pearcey is our Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton West.

Julia Silvester and Jackie Pearcey (right) at Hart Common, where the road has been resurfaced

A massive backlog of £50 MILLION in pothole repairs has been left by Labour.

That’s not for the whole country… it’s the cost just for BOLTON!

The problem is set to get worse after weeks of snow and ice obliterated many of our local roads and footpaths.

Last winter the number of potholes soared by 40%.

The backlog has been blamed on more than 20 years of underfunding for the highways budget by Labour chiefs.

Desperate to claw back some of their mess, Labour has deferred £1m worth of highways works for this year.

They have borrowed a further £2m to repair this year’s potholes, and will have to pay the money back over 10 years.

Only Liberal Democrat councillors have campaigned to increase the highways budget in a bid to put a stop to this outrageous backlog.

But Tory councillors voted against the plan – simply because it was a Lib Dem idea.

Cllr Julia Silvester said: “Bolton has been left in a mess under years of Labour rule. I fear that Westhoughton will lose out once again.”

“I hope you will join me to fight for our community.”

New street lighting at Cemetery Street

Gone with the old, and in with the new… Cemetery Street’s lighting columns have been replaced.

Last year, Councillor Julia Silvester reported how her Liberal Democrat team was successful in getting the dismal, old lights replaced with safer, new ones.

The work has finally been carried out by the council and already residents have told us how much better they look.

Julia said: “One resident contacted me to say that not only is the quality of the light better, but this has also helped them to feel safer after dark.”

The new lighting columns are also more environmentally friendly, as part of the council’s push to cut its carbon footprint.

The dangerous bend at the Wigan Road and Southfield Drive junction

Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for safety improvements to be made to Wigan Road.

Councillors Julia Silvester and David Wilkinson are both pressuring the council.

Julia said: “Residents have often complained to us about how dangerous the road is for motorists and pedestrians alike.”

An improvement scheme for Wigan Road from Wearish Lane to Cricketers Way has been set up but will need to be consulted upon first.

We are calling for:

- Improved crossing facilities at the Wearish Lane junction;

- Refuges to assist pedestrians crossing near Dobb Brow;

- A crossing at the junction with Broadwalk and Coverdale Road

- Traffic lights on the bend at the Southfield Drive junction.

Councillor Julia Silvester at the Wearish Lane junction

The council have informed us that they would be willing to put in a new right turn lane for people entering Southfield Drive as well as a refuge island for pedestrians.

But they refused Lib Dem calls for traffic lights because the accident rate is too low.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “It seems you have to have a serious accident or be killed before they will consider traffic lights.”

Lib Dems made similar calls for traffic lights at the Leigh Road and Washacre junction many years ago. After persisting, the council finally agreed to the lights, which were eventually installed at the danger spot.

Julia Silvester’s Liberal Democrat team has already had a number of road safety improvements made along Wigan Road at Hart Common including pedestrian islands.

We will keep you informed of progress with the plans through this website.