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Page 2 December 2025 AD SALES 01204 478812 l Continued from page one HIB aims to tackle some of Bolton’s most entrenched health and social challenges and to deliver inclusive eco- nomic growth, with a focus on health and life sciences, new homes and long-term improve- ments for communities across the borough. Bolton Council is currently consulting on the next version of its emerging Local Plan. It puts health at the heart of the plan and identifies opportuni- ties for areas of change includ- ing the potential for HIB. The partners will focus on reducing health inequal- ity and deprivation and the regeneration programme will place health and wellbeing at the heart of a mixed-use transformational project. As part of this, HIB will deliver new homes designed around healthy and active lifestyles, major improve- ments to transport, energy and community infrastruc- ture and employment opportu- nities, helping to retain skills and economic value locally. Bolton Council leader Nick Peel, said: “Health Innovation Bolton represents an exciting opportunity to tackle inequal- ity, create opportunity and put health and wellbeing at the centre of our borough’s ongo- ing regeneration. “If approved, these plans will mark the first step towards a partnership approach that will give us the best chance of delivering the infrastructure and investment our communities deserve.” Stephen Wild, managing director at Peel Land, said: “Health Innovation Bolton represents everything we believe regeneration should be – partner-led, communi- ty-focused and designed to create lasting positive change. “By bringing together the NHS, local government, education and the private sector, we can tackle com- plex health and social chal- lenges and grow our economy in ways none of us could achieve alone.” HIB will also create research and development space to enable collaboration between healthcare, academia and industry. There is potential for fur- ther university facilities in fields such as dentistry, global health and veterinary sciences, alongside opportu- nities for private healthcare providers to co-locate with NHS services, creating an integrated health campus. New residential neighbour- hoods will include affordable housing, key worker and stu- dent accommodation, and supported living, alongside market housing in a healthy new community that inte- grates with surrounding communities in Farnworth and Great Lever and is cen- tred around a new elevated linear park. A significant package of enabling infrastructure will underpin the devel- opment. A new primary transport corridor will ease congestion around the hospi- tal and Plodder Lane, while improved access to the M61 at junction four will enhance regional connectivity. 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 2025. 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 A NEW £3.2million 50-metre single span bridge has been crane lifted into position – restoring a long-lost link across the River Irwell. The former Milltown Street Bridge in Radcliffe was destroyed by Storm Eva on Boxing Day in 2015. The replacement bridge will significantly improve walking, wheeling and cycling access. The single span bridge sits higher above the river, improving flood resilience and reducing the risk of future damage. As part of the Bee Network, Greater Manchester’s new joined-up transport network, the scheme has been funded from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Chal- lenge Fund. Alan Quinn, Bury Council’s cabinet member for the envi- ronment and climate change, said: “Watching the new bridge being lifted into place was a truly historic moment for Radcliffe. “Fabricated here in the UK using British steel, it show- cases the best of engineering and craftsmanship. “While there’s still work to do before it opens, it won’t be long before residents can enjoy greener journeys across the River Irwell. By restoring this bridge, we’re reconnecting communities and support- ing sustainable travel for the future.” Work on the new bridge will continue over the winter, with completion anticipated in March next year. Richard Nickson, active travel network director at Transport for Greater Man- chester, said: “This new bridge will restore a key route for people making journeys by walking, cycling and wheeling in and through Radcliffe, pro- viding a real boost to sustain- able travel in the area. “Investment in active travel infrastructure is key to the success of the Bee Network, and I look forward to the bridge opening next spring.” women and girls, and the night-time economy. Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said: “Through our ongoing Operation North Star, our local policing teams will be supporting the Home Office’s Winter of Action campaign, and utilise all of the resources we have at our disposal to provide the best possible service to keep the people of Greater Manches- ter safe. “The Winter period is a time for families and friends to come together and enjoy themselves without the risk of having issues from those who look to cause harm and anti-social behaviour. “It is those people that can expect a knock on the door from us, whether it’s a polite word of advice or a new pair of handcuffs for Christmas, we simply won’t tolerate crime or anti-social behaviour in our communities.” Kate Green, deputy mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Everyone deserves to feel secure in their neighbour- hoods or when out and about, especially during the fes- tive season.” Bolton West MP Phil Brickell has also welcomed the initiative. He said: “Resi- dents across Bolton West are fed up with rising crime on their high streets, and they’re demanding action. “The Winter of Action marks a clear shift: more police patrols, faster crack- downs on offenders, and gen- uine support for shopkeepers who’ve been left to cope with the fallout. A tougher stance on money laundering is also vital. Cut- ting off the financial lifelines of criminal groups makes it far harder for them to operate — and sends a blunt message that crime won’t pay.” PLANS for two large-scale housing developments in the Westhoughton area have been unveiled by developers. A full planning application has been submitted to Bolton Council to build more than 1,450 new homes at Lee Hall, following a public consultation earlier this year. The plans include the new Park Avenue link road to ease congestion at the Chequerbent roundabout, together with homes, employment space, community infrastructure and a 15-acre park. The Lee Hall development is one of the first proposals to form part of the Northfold growth initiative across Bol- ton and Wigan. The site is next door to Hul- ton Park, another proposed development which aims to bring golf’s Ryder Cup to the area. The Lee Hall application has been submitted by Peel Land, the company which is also behind Hulton Park. It says the proposal for 1,450 family and affordable homes will help to tackle the housing crisis and address the longstanding shortfall of new homes in Bolton. Around 25,000 sq m of new employment floorspace is proposed which it says will provide opportunities for local businesses to grow. Peel says the development will deliver a longstanding vision for Westhoughton, providing “infrastructure-led growth that unlocks major benefits for the town”. The plans also include the provision of a GP surgery, a primary school, a care home, local retail facilities and a new community centre. Nick Graham, associate planning director at Peel Land, said: “Our recent public consultation highlighted the community’s strong desire for a solution to the longstanding traffic woes at Chequerbent, which we know will only increase over time. “Our proposals for Lee Hall – which will fulfil a vision first set nearly 60 years ago for an east wing of Westhoughton – will deliver this, alongside new homes, a school, care home, commu- nity facilities, and the park, providing major benefits for Police launch winter of action New landmark for bridge project New homes plans unveiled Vision: A CGI of the Lee Hall park plan (Photo credit: Peel Land) A WINTER crime blitz is underway in Bolton as police teams come together to support a Home Office- led campaign. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is supporting the ‘Winter of Action’ as part of its crime-busting Operation North Star which began in November. It follows GMP’s Safe- 4Summer work, which saw multiple crime-types tack- led across the board earlier this year. That operation saw shoplift- ing and theft reduced by 20 per cent, street crime down by 11 per cent, and serious violent crime down by eight per cent. North Star will concentrate on retail crime, anti-social behaviour, violence against existing and future residents.” Meanwhile, housebuilder Persimmon has unveiled plans for a new 230-home estate on a green field site on Chew Moor Lane. The developer has launched a public consultation and also says its plan for the land close to the M61 will help deliver much-needed new homes to support Bolton’s hous- ing requirements. The site is approximately 9.4 hectares and sits next to the north-eastern edge of Westhoughton. It is currently in agricultural use, compris- ing of two field parcels sepa- rated by a farm access track. Commenting on the Lee Hall plan, Bolton West MP Phil Brickell said he backed building new homes to meet local housing needs. However, he added: “Any additional housing must be accompanied by infrastruc- ture and sustainable trans- port links. “Without adequate safe- guards, large-scale develop- ments in Bolton West will put further strain on already congested roads and pub- lic services.” He said he would continue to push for financial backing from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for the full completion of a proposed new road linking Chequer- bent, along Hulton Park and into Atherton.