What Westhoughton's share of £16m could be spent on

24 Feb 2020 10:31
Published by: Daniel Almond

Six key proposals have been put forward to shape the future of Westhoughton.

The area’s masterplan focuses on five themes: turning Market Street into a healthy heart of the town centre, shopping local, evening economy, attracting businesses, and living in the centre.

The plans were put on display to residents at a drop-in session at Westhoughton library.

The six key development proposals (KDPs) that have been put forward attempt to achieve the themes suggested for Westhoughton’s future.

Market Street is identified as the heart of Westhoughton in the first, suggesting a remodel of the street to give pedestrians more space.

Traffic will still be able to travel both ways up the street but parts of the road will be narrowed to give more pavement space, particularly near the town hall and market.

Pedestrians can also benefit from the second KDP, with plans to improve the links between Market Street and the town centre market car park, and from Library Street to Central Park.

Marsden Street will also be made more pedestrian friendly, with pavement improvements, lighting, and improvements to shop fronts.

Residents could see the Town Hall being redeveloped under new plans, as the Council is now using less of the available space.

Planners have suggested turning the unused areas into spaces for small businesses. There would also be a “start-up” area for new companies to find their feet, and a café for the new businesses and members of the public.

 Access to the library and Carnegie Hall could also be improved under the new plans.

The fifth KDP states that granting separate access to the upstairs of the library would improve safety, security, and visitor experience.

Changes are hoped to increase the use of the hall, with simpler booking arrangements also proposed to increase use of the space.

Three empty sites have been earmarked for new property developments in the proposals, the former Gaiety site, land east of Mill Street, and land West of Sainsbury’s car park.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton South, said: "Some parts I'm OK with other parts I'm not. I don't want to say what I like and dislike about it because I don't want to sway people's opinions.”

Visit investinbolton.com/westhoughton for more details.

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