Safety boost for hotspots
SAFETY improvements to the East Lancashire Road in Lowton are being carried out after transport planners identified the Lane Head junctions as the borough’s two worst collision hot spots.
25 collisions leading to injuries were recorded from 2005-2007.
Work includes reducing the speed limit to 50mph, pedestrian push-button facilities across the whole junction, improvements for pedestrians on the central reservations and traffic islands and improved signal sequencing.
Library visits on the increase
Libraries have experienced a surge of actiivity during the credit crunch.
During the last three months of 2008 visitor numbers shot up nearly 10 per cent on the previous year, with 328,000 people walking through the doors of the borough’s 18 libraries.
Even in traditionally quiet December the number of books, CDs and DVDs being borrowed all went up, with the biggest rises recorded in Platt Bridge, Leigh and Atherton.
Top score for council
Wigan Council has scored top marks in the latest annual survey of council performance – for the SEVENTH year running. The council has maintained its 4 star rating - the highest score possible - following an assessment of its services by independent watchdog the Audit Commission. The review also looked at the council's prospects to get even better at delivering services in the future and said it was "improving well."
Remembering pit’s history
PUPILS at St George’s Central in Tyldesley have remembered those who worked – and died – in the pit close to where their school is located. 150 years after the Yew Tree Pit disaster killed some 24 men and boys, Tyldesley’s councillors have paid for a commemorative plaque in the school.
Green light for new homes
NEW council homes could once again be returning to Wigan after an absence of more than twenty years. Council chiefs have given the green light to plans for Wigan and Leigh Housing, which manages the council’s 23,000 properties, to bid for funds to build new homes across the borough. Construction could start as early as the autumn.
Horse power
A new bridleway is coming to Pennington Flash Country Park. As well as benefiting horse riders and cyclists it will provide access for disabled users between Pennington Flash and the Leeds & Liverpool canal.
Public notice
Petitions for Elected Mayoral Referendums
In accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Referendums) (Petitions and Directions) (England) Regulations 2000 (as amended), I am giving notice that the number equal to 5% of the total number of local government electors shown in the electoral register for the Wigan Borough Council’s area for the period ending on 30 November 2009 is:-
11,847 electors
Dated this 6th day of March 2009
Joyce Redfearn, Proper Officer
Wigan Council
Best ever GCSE results
WIGAN’S best ever set of GCSE results have been confirmed. Official government figures for 2008 show improvements in standards in schools across the borough. More than 66 per cent of pupils have achieved five or more GCSE passes at A* to C, nearly 15% higher than three years ago.
Conservation review
TWO more of the borough’s conservation areas are being reviewed. Howe Bridge in Atherton and Wigan town centre are the latest of the 23 areas where the council has identified special historic or architectural interest. Both were first listed about 30 years ago and need to be updated.
High rise blocks given facelift
FIVE high-rise blocks of flats that make up the Scholes Village complex - the most prominent feature of the Wigan skyline - are set to benefit from a multi-million pound facelift. The project includes eco-friendly improvements to help reduce fuel bills and boost the local economy by providing work for some of the borough’s businesses.
Rare fungus found in park
A RARE fungus, recorded only four times in the north west in the last 200 years, has been identified in a Wigan park. Golden Bootleg Fungus (Phaeolepiota aurea) was spotted in Mesnes Park by eagle eyed rangers Ian Greenhalgh and Harry Dyer. It’s so rare it’s on the Red Data list for threatened species.
Competition winners
Congratulations to Margaret Jackson of Atherton and Leslie Banks from Orrell, who were the winners of our Christmas Wordsearch.
Margaret and Leslie both receive a copy of Nigella Lawson’s Christmas recipe book.
Public warm to new sculpture
OUR newest piece of public art, the Face of Wigan, has been winning praise from residents.
The dramatic 5.5m high stainless steel sculpture could very well become another iconic image of the borough.
Its creator, acclaimed English sculptor Rick Kirby, says the face – which was paid for by Grand Arcade developers Modus – is a play on the many statues of the ‘good and glorious’ that adorn town centres across Britain.
Rent rise lower than guidelines
COUNCIL rents will go up by 4.95 per cent in April. The increase is lower than government guidelines and means average rents rising by £2.96 to £62.76 a week. At the suggestion of tenants, money from the rise will go towards replacing obsolete central heating systems.
