Your Local Independent 189

Page 2 Christmas 2024 AD SALES 01204 478812 No part of this publicationmay be used or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure that the articles and advertisements that are carried are authentic, however the publisher accepts no responsibility for claims made. © Investors in Publishing Ltd 2024. This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate,Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD. 01204 478812 EDITOR Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Jayne Meadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US Colin Russell Berry trading as C B Transport of 24 Kings Close, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1QE, is applying for a license to use The Mount, Bury, BL9 7JW as an operating centre to keep one goods vehicle and one trailer. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings) near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address: C B Transport of 24 Kings Close, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1QE. A guide to making representations is available at the Road Traffic Commissioner’s Office. GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE l Continued from page one “We have one of the bus- iest maternity units in the region, and this multi-million pound investment will allow us to completely transform the space we currently have, creating an environment that is better suited to those who use it and features the latest advancements in healthcare to enhance safety and experience. “We know a lot of families will have made very precious memories here and we’ll be sharing details soon about how you can be a part of capturing that history, as well as joining us to cele- brate the start of an exciting next chapter. Bolton NHS Foundation Trust bid for funding from NHS England following the identification of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the maternity unit in December 2023. Since then, the trust has taken measures to move maternity services away from the affected areas to allow the areas to be propped for safety, with women’s services operat- ing from new locations at the hospital and at Lever Cham- bers Centre for Health. Annette Walker, chief finance officer at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, added: “We’re really pleased to have been awarded £38million funding from NHS England which will allow us to signif- icantly redevelop our mater- nity unit. “Ahead of work starting, we’ll be speaking to both staff and service users to under- stand what they need from the unit so that we can deliver high quality care in a modern space for years to come. “There will be a series of engagement events over the next few weeks and I would encourage people to come along and be a part of creating something really exciting. Our staff are our biggest asset and we’ll be drawing upon their wealth of experience to under- stand what changes will make the most difference.” HOUSEHOLDS across Bol- ton have been advised to look out for a leaflet that details changes to their bin collection dates over Christmas and New Year. Every home in the borough is receiving a copy of the leaf- let through their letterboxes giving details of waste collec- tion dates. As in previous years, there will be no collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, mean- ing that there will be some changes to bin collections. There will also be no green bin collection service from Monday, December 23 to Friday, January 3, which includes large green bins and smaller food waste con- tainers for all households. Green bin collections will resume on Monday, January 6, as normal. Richard Silvester, Bolton council’s executive cabinet member for environmental services, said: “As in previ- ous years, there will be some changes to bin collection days over Christmas. “We know the festive season creates more household waste, which is why we want to let residents know in advance of these changes. “All households will receive a leaflet through their door in the coming weeks which includes these collection updates as well as some handy tips on recycling. “I’d like to take this oppor- tunity to remind residents to put your bins at the edge of your property with the lid closed by 7am on your collec- tion day and ensure vehicles are parked responsibly to allow our wagons to access your street.” THE traditional lighting of Horwich’s Civic Christ- mas Tree at the Crown Roundabout fell victim to Storm Darragh. The switch-on, marking the start of the festive season in the town, was cancelled fol- lowing the warnings of heavy rain and high winds. A carol service with the Rivington and Blackrod High School Band and Choir had been planned with civic dig- nitaries from across the area invited to attend. A Horwich Council spokes- person said: “It is with regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the event. “We haven’t taken the deci- sion to cancel lightly, how- ever the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved is our top priority. “Unfortunately, there will be no rescheduled event how- ever, the lights will be being switched on when it’s safe to do so.” Bolton’s ‘Put Big Light On Festival’ was also affected by Storm Darragh. Originally postponed, the event did go ahead with a revised sched- ule and the loss of Satur- day’s entertainment. Westhoughton’s big Christ- mas event took place the week- end before Darragh hit and attracted enthusiastic crowds. Father Christmas was at the library in his grotto and Bethal Crowd and Wingates Band performed in the Carne- gie Hall. There were fair rides to enjoy on Mill Street and a carol service. l More festive news starts on page 13 PEOPLE across the borough are being urged to have their say on Bolton Council’s plans to make £8.2million of cuts over the next two years. A public consultation has been launched to get the public’s view on the council’s proposed budget. Bolton says while its finances are “better positioned” than many local authorities across the coun- try its financial situation remains “challenging.” It says that is the result of uncertainty over future fund- ing, rising costs as a result of inflation and increased demand for services. Proposed cuts would come from across a range of council depart- ments and services. Among them are suggestions to review contracts with service providers, increase income from council assets like Bolton Market and the libraries, and not to fill some job vacancies. In a statement the council said: “Over half the money the council spends pays for support for children and adults, like care and accommodation. “These are statutory duties that the council has a legal duty to provide, making it challenging to find savings.” No final decisions on cuts have been made and the results of the consultation will be considered before the full council debates the proposed budget next February. Council leader Nick Peel said: “Thanks to proper planning and fiscal responsibility over many years, Bolton Council is on a sound financial footing compared to many other local authorities. “We also hope that future gov- ernment settlements will give us more financial certainty. “But we must be honest and accept that difficult decisions Have your say on council’s cuts package Financial challenges: Bolton Council needs to find savings about cuts are unavoidable if we are to protect the council’s finances and vital frontline services for the long term. “I urge everyone in Bolton to take part in this consultation and want to assure you that councillors will see your responses.” Be aware of festive bin dates Darragh makes its impact on events Storm wrecked bridge will be rebuilt Crossing: A CGI of the new bridge (Photo credit: Bury Council) brought to our borough, par- ticularly Radcliffe. “The new bridge will be a welcome addition to the ongo- ing regeneration of the town centre. It will connect hous- ing and businesses south of the river with existing and proposed housing, as well as schools and businesses, north of the river, supporting eco- nomic regeneration. “The new bridge will be manufactured in the UK, as I’m determined to place as many orders as I can with British companies. It’s only right that taxpayers’ money is used to generate British jobs and it’s part of the council’s social value policy. “The north bank of the River Irwell is the subject of a large housing-led regener- ation scheme to create up to 400 much-needed homes on East Lancashire Paper Mill development site. “The bridge offers a route from the south bank to Rad- cliffe Metrolink stop and the new high school, via a proposed new crossing on Church Street West and a new Metrolink ramp.” St orm Eva caused unprecedented flooding, fol- lowing a month of constant rain which had saturated the land. Water levels at the rivers Roch and Irwell rose by 2.1m to their highest recorded level. Across the borough of Bury, more than 800 homes were evacuated, particularly in Radcliffe and Redvales. Some 3,200 households were without power, and many people could not return to their homes for many months afterwards. It led to £40m of flood defences being built along the rivers. A BRIDGE which was severely damaged by the worst storm to hit Bury for decades is to be replaced. Milltown Street bridge in Radcliffe was all but swept away by Storm Eva, which brought mass flooding and damage on Boxing Day 2015. Bury Council is about to appoint contractors to build a new bridge for walkers and cyclists over the River Irwell. The £3.2million project is being paid for through the Greater Manchester May- or’s City Region Sustainable Transport Fund. It will also be a key ele- ment of the Greater Man- chester Bee Active network in Radcliffe. The bridge crosses the River Irwell linking Rectory Lane and Milltown Street and will be higher than the original bridge for flood defence reasons. It will reconnect an existing public right of way across the Irwell and provide a north- south cycle link through the east of the town. Alan Quinn, council cab- inet member for the envi- ronment, climate change and operations, said: “No one who lived here at the time will ever forget Storm Eva, and the devastation it