WITH the Bolton Council elections taking place on May 5, political reporter Liam Thorp is taking a closer look at some of the key battlegrounds and speaking to the candidates vying for your all-important votes.

Those of you with a historical knowledge of Bolton may be surprised to see Astley Bridge crop up in our list of ‘interesting’ election battles this year.

After all, you have to go back to 1996 for the last time a non-Conservative candidate was elected in the ward.

But this year it is not that simple. About a year ago Liberal Democrat candidate Warren Fox embarked on a mission to persuade voters in Astley Bridge to consider switching allegiances and it is safe to say he has put the work in through community work, petitions and campaigns.

Because of those efforts, the Lib Dems have genuine cause for optimism in Astley Bridge.

But it won’t be easy to unseat popular Cllr Hilary Fairclough, the Tory’s deputy leader in Bolton and an active member of the authority.

We also cannot rule out Labour, with party sources suggesting that the impact of Mr Fox’s campaign in the area could chip away at the Tory stronghold and offer a window of opportunity to Labour candidate Kevin Morris.

So we could be in for a fascinating three-horse race next week — but Cllr Fairclough will be hoping the work she has done during her 16 years representing Astley Bridge will secure her another term.

She said: “I have been privileged to represent the Astley Bridge Ward since the year 2000.

“I was born in Astley Bridge and have lived here all my life. I believe a councillor represents the area on several different levels: They should deal with the everyday issues that cause problems for residents, they should fight to get the ward a fair share of council funding and I strongly believe councillors should be at the heart of the communities they represent.

“I have a proven track record of standing up and fighting for this area — opposing inappropriate planning applications, campaigning to retain vital services, as I did with the 535 and 537 local bus services, successfully negotiating with ASDA for the demolition of the boarded up shops on Blackburn Road and leading the campaign to find solutions to end the congestion along Blackburn Road.

I take part in local litter picks and I am doing everything I can to rid Astley Bridge of the dog Poo that blights our pavements and green spaces.”

Mr Fox is hoping that the efforts he has put in to help the community will pay dividends come election day.

He said: “I have worked extremely hard in the ward in the past year and the response I have had from residents has been great.

“I am the only candidate that has kept in touch with local people and I think they have recognised that — I think the election could be very close.

“I have worked to reduce the endless traffic on Blackburn Road and organised petitions on issues like dog fouling and traffic — which more than 4,000 people have signed.

“This is what I have achieved as a candidate so just imagine what is possible if I am elected.

“I think the Tories are playing catch-up on all the issues we have spearheaded — they have just reacted to the work we have done.”

He added: “I have been putting in 80 hour weeks and have been happy to do so because I am so passionate about Astley Bridge and the people who live here.”

Labour candidate Kevin Morris believes he has the background and values to get the best for residents in Astley Bridge.

He said: “I have lived in Astley Bridge for just over 3 years now and lived in Bolton all my life.

“If elected I will work hard for people 24/7 and be dedicated in the ward.

“I will be a strong voice for them and that someone like myself from an ordinary working class background and upbringing is totally on their side and can relate to their concerns and issues.

“I believe the local Tories in Astley Bridge are not doing enough to protect people from this Government's unfair austerity agenda which is hitting our community.”

He added: “If elected I will make traffic congestion in and around Blackburn Road a key priority. This ongoing major issue for many residents is a daily battle and living on this main road myself I experience first-hand the issues it brings morning and evening 7 days a week.

UKIP candidate John Toone is a former businessman, he said: “Labour have controlled Bolton Council for the best part of nearly 40 years and during this time especially in the last few years Bolton has gone from a great thriving town to a town which is fast becoming an embarrassment to the rest of the North West.

“Bolton is failing, its spending vast sums of money on a select few of the town and arguing it’s to improve the deprivation figures across the Borough however the reality is its propping up the Labour vote.”

He added: “If elected I will work hard with the current UKIP Councillors and ensure that unlike Labour I listen to the concerns that the people of Astley Bridge have and ensure that Astley Bridge gets its fair share of the allocation from Bolton Council.”