£48m interchange will be a highlight of the coming year
9:26am Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News
£48m interchange will be a highlight of the coming year
WORK on the £48 million transport interchange and the overhaul of Bolton Market will be among the highlights of the coming year, says the borough’s development chief.
Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration, said the country’s bleak economic situation was continuing to affect the borough, but said firms were still growing despite the challenges they face.
He added that losing out on city status and the visit of the Olympic torch were among the highs and lows of 2012.
He said: “2012 was a very eventful year for Bolton.
“Witnessing the spectacle of the Olympic torch relay in Bolton was truly a historic day.
“There was an incredible atmosphere in the town, and it was amazing to see thousands of residents lining the streets and at the evening concert.
“It was a huge logistical challenge, but thanks to the hard work of a lot of people it came together and we had a fantastic two days.
“The success of the torch relay took away some of the upset at Bolton not being awarded city status, which was announced earlier in the year.
“We put in a bid for the official recognition, which we believe Bolton rightly deserved, so we were naturally disappointed not to have been selected.
“However, I’m confident that Bolton will continue to go from strength to strength and we are continuing to strive to make this happen.”
He said: “In 2012 we saw the opening of Bolton One, our £30.6 million health, leisure and research centre.
“This 21st century facility was a major project, and the council delivered on its promise to provide a town centre pool to replace the former Water Place facility.
“Of course the challenging economic climate is continuing to affect Bolton, like every town across the country. Nationally the economy is not beginning to show signs of recovery and this is affecting businesses locally.
“It also has huge implications for the council in terms of cuts that it has to make.
“However, some local companies are continuing to grow despite the economic climate.
“Businesses such as DRL, Scan Computing, Keogh’s and ASONS show that Bolton’s businesses can do well, which is a good sign for our local economy.
“We are working hard despite the challenges to attract people to Bolton.Events like the Ironman Triathlon and the Food and Drink Festival continue to attract thousands of visitors to Bolton.
“In the last few months, our £4.5 million Bolton Market refurbishment project has really moved on. The contractors have now been appointed, and in 2013, we will be cracking on to make our award-winning market even better for years to come.
“In 2013, we will also press on with the delivery of the transport interchange.
“We’ve managed to get the final approvals required for this hugely complex project. The interchange is a key part of our town centre development programme and the project will see a brand new bus station built next to Bolton railway station.”
Comments(48)
BWFC71
says...
9:42am Thu 3 Jan 13
The economic climate has NEVER been part of Bolton's downturn - that has been the fault of the current Labour leaders (Yes Morris and his cronies) who have money hoarded up somewhere but cutting frontline jobs and staff all in the name of the recession and the ConDems austerity measures.
Not every town in the country is suffering - only those that are being mis-managed!!!! Look at Bury - less than 6 miles away from Bolton Town Centre and see a thriving upcoming and family-orientated town - now thats how a town can thrive. Now compare that to Bolton and hey-presto!!!!
Bolton is a mis-managed town and because of it its dying on its feet day by day - chain shops leaving, independent shops closing, pay-day loans outlets moving in, dirty streets, graffiti, wastelands, burnt out buildings, boarded up buildings.
A brand spanking new bus station is definitely not going to be the catalyst for the town - a change in direction and a change in councillors is what is required. The town needs a new focus and the current councillors do not have any focus apart from their own bank balances!
Hulton Park
says...
9:48am Thu 3 Jan 13
rostron
says...
9:53am Thu 3 Jan 13
One is the above, the other is Morris seems to single handledly saved jobs at SCA in Horwich.
I love getting up every day, to see which accolade he has awarded himself !
now what will we get tomorrow Cliff !
trotter1877
says...
10:05am Thu 3 Jan 13
kieth57
says...
10:51am Thu 3 Jan 13
sunfun
says...
11:25am Thu 3 Jan 13
BWFC71
says...
11:54am Thu 3 Jan 13
Cheeseware
says...
12:39pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Moving the bus station could kill off the market during the week as older people and pensioners can just get off the bus and they are right at the market. Once it moves they may think twice about going if they have to travel across roads to get from the bus to the market.
Obviously somebody's palm is being greased through all this.
boltonnut
says...
1:02pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Marzi30
says...
1:31pm Thu 3 Jan 13
LukeR85
says...
1:37pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Bolton needs money spent on cleaning it up, not things which make it look like a city, all for the hope we will one day be granted the status. I would love my home town to become a City but what is going to bring people to it? There is nothing left!
People need to be attracted to it and they will walk away thinking what people used to think about Bolton, 'what a great place'
Bolton has lost it's pride and the town centre is now only fit for the scum this town produces, everyone else goes into Mnahcester and why wouldn't you?
We have a great history of some fantastic, talented people. Bolton can clearly produce greatness but at the moment, it is ill and needs a doctor.
A bus station would be nice yes, but so would some decent shops and entertainment. We need to gain our pride back before it becomes a ghost town.
Chrome1
says...
1:50pm Thu 3 Jan 13
And please, Bolton News, have more dignity and purpose. At the moment you are no more than a glorified leaflet; your reporting is just as embarrasing as the condition of Bolton.
gladrill
says...
3:56pm Thu 3 Jan 13
tony000
says...
4:19pm Thu 3 Jan 13
megmaria
says...
4:43pm Thu 3 Jan 13
mintshaker
says...
5:07pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Bolton One is in a very unsuitable position for access by car or bus.
The bus interchange was very nice when it was built, but soon fell into disrepair and looks grotty, as does the train station. Not very welcoming!! And I thought the new interchange was to replace Moor Lane Bus Station, is this not so? I prefer it to stay at Moor Lane, nearer the market, although it is a fair way from the other shops, such as they are :-(
Andy Higham
says...
5:28pm Thu 3 Jan 13
duggy313
says...
5:45pm Thu 3 Jan 13
stantheman133
says...
5:56pm Thu 3 Jan 13
frankbough
says...
6:19pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Sirrius7
says...
6:46pm Thu 3 Jan 13
grimtown
says...
6:50pm Thu 3 Jan 13
They will exit the interchange only to be presented with Great Moor street charity shops, derelict fads boared up buffet king nee revelution nee Chester moon shires ! Oh nearly forgot the rubble pile next to the turkisk baths, bookies money lenders etc.
Cliff Morris wonderful you never disappiont the residents with your delusions of adequecy.
Andy Higham
says...
7:32pm Thu 3 Jan 13
hatonfire
says...
8:51pm Thu 3 Jan 13
You lot really should relax and calm down.
Have a day out in Bolton town centre. Go to the museum and art gallery. Do a bit of shopping and visit the market, it's really very good these days. Have a nice meal and maybe stay-on and go to the excellent Octagon theatre to see a very good play (they're all very good).
When you get home, you'll find that you've had a very enjoyable day, but don't tell anyone especially your leader that would never do.
Bert_Anchovy
says...
8:58pm Thu 3 Jan 13
hatonfire wrote:Mentalist Alert!
Tories whipping themselves up into a frenzy again.
You lot really should relax and calm down.
Have a day out in Bolton town centre. Go to the museum and art gallery. Do a bit of shopping and visit the market, it's really very good these days. Have a nice meal and maybe stay-on and go to the excellent Octagon theatre to see a very good play (they're all very good).
When you get home, you'll find that you've had a very enjoyable day, but don't tell anyone especially your leader that would never do.
I Repeat.
Mentalist Alert.
Beyond News Forum
says...
9:40pm Thu 3 Jan 13
Ooops you did that once and are just about to do it again...
Oh BTW for those interested in commenting on the cop & horses (sounds like a top pub!) article, well I will give you some democratic rights to comment here: http://articlechase.
com/beyondnews/threa
d-3350.html
Reality50
says...
11:08pm Thu 3 Jan 13
BWFC71
says...
1:03am Fri 4 Jan 13
hatonfire wrote:1. can you reccomend a decent restaurant?
Tories whipping themselves up into a frenzy again.
You lot really should relax and calm down.
Have a day out in Bolton town centre. Go to the museum and art gallery. Do a bit of shopping and visit the market, it's really very good these days. Have a nice meal and maybe stay-on and go to the excellent Octagon theatre to see a very good play (they're all very good).
When you get home, you'll find that you've had a very enjoyable day, but don't tell anyone especially your leader that would never do.
2. can you tell me which shops are open after 530pm?
3. my last bus home is at 6pm, therefore can you tell me how to get home after 6pm without it costing more than 3 quid?
4. doesn't the museum and library close at 5pm nowadays, like the shops?
5. If I am to get into town before 5pm, can you tell me the directions to what you mention from Bolton bus station for a wheelchair user?
6. Can you actually guarantee that the streets I will be using will be litter free (ie litter from the past month and not just that day!)?
If any of ther above apply then blow me down with a feather then Bolton is definitely a bustling town centre, just as Cllr Clifford Morris says and I should be ashamed that I accuse the councillors of doing sweet FA to the town centre!!!
BWFC71
says...
1:05am Fri 4 Jan 13
thetrotter
says...
1:23am Fri 4 Jan 13
Well done Stan and Olly, the saviours of Bolton town centre
Oh and hatonfire you'd be aswell laying off the crack pipe for a while.
Wigan Trotter
says...
7:29am Fri 4 Jan 13
hatonfire
says...
10:33am Fri 4 Jan 13
Wigan Trotter wrote:Well Wigan, I'd say that we have more than our fair share.
Look like Bolton has also got its fair share of moaners and idiots like other towns,
They just don't understand the basic principle of commerce i.e. transferring goods from producers to consumer. Rule No.1, It is not enough for consumers to want the goods but that the have the ability (cash) to pay for them.
As we all know (even the idiots) the ConDem government have reduced the spending power of the average person with bigger reductions on the way.
I don't know about Wigan but Bolton has always had moaners who love to criticize and insult their own town but to make matters worse, it is now the (un)official policy of the local Tories to say how dreadful Bolton is and blame the Labour council.
Rememberscarborough
says...
12:16pm Fri 4 Jan 13
thetrotter
says...
1:11pm Fri 4 Jan 13
As we all know (even the idiots) the ConDem government have reduced the spending power of the average person with bigger reductions on the way."
In response to your simplistic approach, cash is available, it just isn't being spent in Bolton Town Centre, actually Middlebrook, Trafford Centre, Chorley & Bury are all thriving.
Any sane individual will recognise that you can not, for a prolonged period, live beyond your means unless you are building something that will have a value that far exceeds the cost of capital employed. The UK and inparticular the previous government has NOT done this, the additional borrowings were being used in essence to keep the country standing still, you could say avoiding a difficult decision. In your rule number 1 you actually agree with me here as you state you have got to have the ability (cash) to pay for the goods you want.
Finally going back to your basic principles of commerce, i would argue the Rule 1 is have a marketplace and something viable to sell before you spend a fortune on infrastructure. In my view Bolton Town Centre has a marketplace but unfortunately with the exception of a couple of shops (M&S & Debenhams et al.) it doesn't have anything of note to sell. Therefore i would not build the new interchange as we already have a bus and train station that whilst not state of the art are fit for purpose. I would therefore use some of the £50 million (what would of been spent on the interchange) to offer incentives to SME's (small and medium sized enterprises) and their customers to come back into the town centre. SME's could be offered incentives via business rates relief or subsidised rent terms to comeback into the town centre, this in turn gets other cogs of the economy turning, for example, shop fitters are required to fit out the units being rented, logistics companies are required to deliver goods to the stores, staff are needed to sell the goods, window cleaners to keep the shop looking spic an span you can see where i'm going....... Then at the same time the council could use a little more of the £50 million to help attract and increase foot fall into the centre by subsidising the car parking giving the town centre a level playing field with the reebok and other out of town shopping outlets on which to compete.
Basically it needs to be a multi faceted approach. Spending a small fortune on an interchange when there is nothing to see or do when you get here is down right incompetence. It shows that Keith Davies, Bolton Council’s director of development and regeneration is so far out of his depth when he suggests the interchange will be the highlight of the forthcoming year.
heaton watcher
says...
6:04pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Get real all you moaning minnies!
Rocket_Scientist
says...
7:00pm Fri 4 Jan 13
Chrome1 wrote:I couldn't agree more, the Bolton News is a free mouthpiece to these councillors who just want to fill their own pockets and spout on endlessly about the wonderful things they are doing to improve Bolton. Of course we are all to blame for keep voting these faceless pigs back to the trough. I have done more for my local area in the last 12 months than my elected representative and I don't claim expenses for a few simple phone calls to the relevant council department.
Put me in charge and I will show you. Enough has been said about the disgraceful state of Bolton town centre. Councillors are no more than egotistical attention seeking rookies. They are mostly interested in Bin collections and Mr Jones' extension being approved. The macro economics of Bolton needs someone like me who will tell the idiots in charge what they are and need to get out of the way of progress.
And please, Bolton News, have more dignity and purpose. At the moment you are no more than a glorified leaflet; your reporting is just as embarrasing as the condition of Bolton.
dougie kay
says...
9:13pm Fri 4 Jan 13
davoovad
says...
8:19pm Sat 5 Jan 13
hatonfire wrote:Well we'd all better vote UKIP then because all Labour did was to let us get swamped with immigrants.
Wigan Trotter wrote:Well Wigan, I'd say that we have more than our fair share.
Look like Bolton has also got its fair share of moaners and idiots like other towns,
They just don't understand the basic principle of commerce i.e. transferring goods from producers to consumer. Rule No.1, It is not enough for consumers to want the goods but that the have the ability (cash) to pay for them.
As we all know (even the idiots) the ConDem government have reduced the spending power of the average person with bigger reductions on the way.
I don't know about Wigan but Bolton has always had moaners who love to criticize and insult their own town but to make matters worse, it is now the (un)official policy of the local Tories to say how dreadful Bolton is and blame the Labour council.
grimtown
says...
12:07pm Sun 6 Jan 13
Cliff residents aren't interested in the wider politics of the country they are only concerned with local issues that labours local councillors have been running in both boom and bust.
In the boom they failed on all accounts to capitalise on the upward economy only to blame the coalition on the down turn.
This suggest that these are local management and poor planning issues having massive impact on peoples quality of life.
By failing to promote quality employers to locate in the town centre. I fact quite the opposite has happened.
BWFC71
says...
10:40am Mon 7 Jan 13
heaton watcher wrote:There is already a bus station next to the train station which isn't even used by all bus routes!!!! In fact they had to remodel the bus station due to lack of activity and shrink the size of it!!!!! And now they are building a brand new bus station with a 5 minute walk, along a covered footbridge, whilst doing nothing with the current bus station at the station. Everyone seems to have forgotten about that bu station in town!!!!
I'm an immigrant to Bolton and I love the town but I find so many people, especially on the Bolton News comments pages to be dour, pessimistic, negative and against anything that seems like progress. To me it makes sense to put the bus station next to the train station as was successfully done in Bury many years ago. In any case, the money for the new interchange isn't coming from Bolton Council it's coming from Transport for Greater Manchester and therefore COULDN'T be used for anything else. Get real all you moaning minnies!
BWFC71
says...
10:55am Mon 7 Jan 13
hatonfire wrote:You seem to continually miss the point, hatonfire. There may well be less money to be spent by people due to the tough austerity measures, which actually contradicts your argument on another newspeice with regards to moving council workers into town centre and more spending power for the restaurants!!! But as "thretotter" says one needs a market place for teh ghoods and services to be sold which Bolton no longer has. For example, where are the local Topshop, or even Burton's and Dorothy Perkins? - just to name 3 national chain stores that have left the town over the last 6 months!!!
Wigan Trotter wrote: Look like Bolton has also got its fair share of moaners and idiots like other towns,Well Wigan, I'd say that we have more than our fair share. They just don't understand the basic principle of commerce i.e. transferring goods from producers to consumer. Rule No.1, It is not enough for consumers to want the goods but that the have the ability (cash) to pay for them. As we all know (even the idiots) the ConDem government have reduced the spending power of the average person with bigger reductions on the way. I don't know about Wigan but Bolton has always had moaners who love to criticize and insult their own town but to make matters worse, it is now the (un)official policy of the local Tories to say how dreadful Bolton is and blame the Labour council.
You also seem to forget about the money that was NOT spent during the "boom" years and is still not being spent or the money raised through teh sale of many council properties and land which, again, is not being utilised, or what about the money the council recieves from being a shareholder in The Manchester Airport Group - again not being utilised, or the money it receives from the various county court fines over the years (mainly due to non-payment of Council Tax)???? The money is all being saved up - why???? Frontline staff are being cut, front line jobs atre being lost, services are diminishing and yet the momey is there to keep it going. Yet the Labour councillors would rather hoard the money, cut services and blame the cuts on the ConDem Government. Bury is thriving, Chorley is thrivibng - because people would rather go to a town centre that has a full array of shops rather than a down-trodden rubbish strewn town-centre where the council has no pride!!! Mistakes by the council started long before the recession and the flat-lining of the economy and yet you just want to view it as from 2008!!!! Its about time you woke up and realise that this council has been no good for the last 10-15 years. It needs new blood - I honestly do not care from which Party they will come from but it is needed to reviatlise the town.
The laissez-faire attitude to your own town, makes me think that you honestly do not care what happens to the town centre and creating arguments for srgumentaing sake. If I was in Bolton, now,. I would be canvassing the council, the parties, etc etc for answers to get get solutions and resolutions - action is needed, rather than a sit-back attitude.
Nipper111
says...
9:33pm Mon 7 Jan 13
Andy Higham wrote:How many people like me are loosing their job because of this stupid interchange??? Guess I best get in the line at the job centre eh???
How many shops / businesses are being forced to close or relocate to accomodate this white elephant?
adatherton
says...
10:04pm Mon 7 Jan 13
tommy
says...
8:42am Wed 9 Jan 13
Anyway, I don't see the interchange as a bad thing. An expensive thing, but not a bad thing. One positive you can get from it is that all of the town centre's public transport will be unified (to an extent). Having lived in Heaton all my life (and being able to get the 575 from the station), I can't imagine how awkward it'd be for an old person to get across to Gt Moor St in the cold. This will make a lot of lives much easier I think.
Secondly, it'll take the focus off our horrible train station. I hate that thing, it smells of wee and it's extremely depressing to stand in. But seriously though, do you prefer that area around the train station right now? It's just casinos and pound shops round there. Would you SERIOUSLY want to keep the area as it is?
However, I do agree with the majority on here. There is much that needs to be done to Bolton first. It's not a quick fix though and I bet a lot of it is out of Boltons control. How do you attract more shops to the town centre when there's the trafford centre down the m60? When there's Manchester City Centre down the train line? I don't think we're the only Gtr Mcr town suffering here, people.
Free Parking? Removing yellow lines? No chance, don't make me laugh. Never in a month of Sundays. I do believe cheaper tariffs would work though. The price of parking needs revision. Less Over-Zealous wardens? Try to stop bending the rules and make good time. Don't waft the cheese under their noses if you don't want to get bitten.
Maybe putting money into a decent University will attract a bit more. There is still evidence that it's horrifically mismanaged.
Part of me's glad I'm moving to Lancaster in a few weeks. I'm hoping Bolton can look at the place and get some tips.
Tim Burr
says...
11:07am Wed 9 Jan 13
Seemingly Bolton Council and others, didn't see it coming or were blind as it started with the Arndale Centres in the 1960's.
The interchange too is a very old idea, that I think is out of date before it's built and is a mistake in my humble opinion - take away easy accessibility to the market which the interchange will do and they will kill it (eventually) when across this great nation of shopkeepers, true markets are in a revival period. The market is once again Bolton's Jewel in its crown, lovingly polish it and admire its sparkle.
As for the rest of the centre, the Council really needs to speak with commerce and decide where or what it wants to be in 20 years time, which I hope is not hanging on to the tail of Manchester City Council.
In the meanwhile, dump the over zealous, private contractor parking police who hover like vultures, 5.30 - 6.00pm must be feeding time as waiting for my son to finish work - there must have been at least 3 of them, barking orders and threats to people waiting to pick up Town Hall and BN employees and round the corner, dropping off for the Albert Halls - not good.
Boltonresident2012
says...
12:36pm Wed 9 Jan 13
tommy wrote:Sorry, but the same people will be using the station. It may look good for a while - don't forget that the present station/bus station there was once new and didn't smell of wee ...
Thing I've noticed about people on here is that whenever anyone spends money on something, they fly completely off the handle for no reason.
Anyway, I don't see the interchange as a bad thing. An expensive thing, but not a bad thing. One positive you can get from it is that all of the town centre's public transport will be unified (to an extent). Having lived in Heaton all my life (and being able to get the 575 from the station), I can't imagine how awkward it'd be for an old person to get across to Gt Moor St in the cold. This will make a lot of lives much easier I think.
Secondly, it'll take the focus off our horrible train station. I hate that thing, it smells of wee and it's extremely depressing to stand in. But seriously though, do you prefer that area around the train station right now? It's just casinos and pound shops round there. Would you SERIOUSLY want to keep the area as it is?
However, I do agree with the majority on here. There is much that needs to be done to Bolton first. It's not a quick fix though and I bet a lot of it is out of Boltons control. How do you attract more shops to the town centre when there's the trafford centre down the m60? When there's Manchester City Centre down the train line? I don't think we're the only Gtr Mcr town suffering here, people.
Free Parking? Removing yellow lines? No chance, don't make me laugh. Never in a month of Sundays. I do believe cheaper tariffs would work though. The price of parking needs revision. Less Over-Zealous wardens? Try to stop bending the rules and make good time. Don't waft the cheese under their noses if you don't want to get bitten.
Maybe putting money into a decent University will attract a bit more. There is still evidence that it's horrifically mismanaged.
Part of me's glad I'm moving to Lancaster in a few weeks. I'm hoping Bolton can look at the place and get some tips.
cougar44
says...
2:43pm Wed 9 Jan 13
wild one says...
9:41am Thu 3 Jan 13