A PETITION demanding the compulsory purchase of two run-down pubs in has now been signed by more than 2,500 people.

Liberal Democrat campaigner Warren Fox launched the petition urging Bolton Council to buy the Three Pigeons and Brierfield pubs, in Astley Bridge two months ago.

Developer Nick Howcroft had promised to start work on the Three Pigeons in early April, while an application to regenerate the Brierfield, is expected from the trustees of the Ramsey Street Madrasah in the near future.

But Mr Fox says he will submit the petition in regards to both the Blackburn Road pubs if work does not begin early this month.

He said: “If developers purchase property they should develop it within a reasonable timescale. It’s not acceptable that residents should have to live with eyesores that contribute to an increase in crime, and devalue other properties in the area. In this case nearly seven years.”

“A change in planning laws is needed to speed up developments, there is a general feeling among residents in Bolton is that the planning system is flawed”

But Mr Howcroft has hit back, telling The Bolton News he is sick of being used as a “political football” as the local elections approach.

He said: “It is nothing to do with me, all this political stuff.

“We have got windows we will be fitting in April, he is just a stirrer. I said to the guy who runs My Astley Bridge (the Liberal Democrats website) why doesn’t he come down and see what we have already done?

“We have completed 75 per cent of the apartments to the rear. It looks bad because we haven’t done the windows outside, but that’s the last job you do.

“This petition is just nonsense, the council doesn’t have the money to compulsorily purchase things, I’m sick of being used as a political football.”

Hilary Fairclough, Conservative ward councillor for Astley Bridge also dismissed Mr Fox’s petition.

She said: "It's a pointless exercise, the council can't just compulsorily purchase buildings that have fallen into disrepair. It's unfortunately just a cynical ploy to make people think he is doing something.

He is raising people's expectations and making people think something is going to be done and the council only does compulsory purchases as an absolute last resort or if it needs to because, for instance, somethings is in the middle of a new road.

There are properties in this country in the middle of motorways because people would not move, that shows you how rarely compulsory purchases are done."

However, Cllr Fairclough says she has "absolute sympathy" with residents who are lumbered with the eyesore buildings.

She added: "If anything could be done, I would get it done. I am on to it as much as possible, speaking to people who own the properties and doing everything in my power and cajoling them to get on with it. But the fact is, they hold all the cards."

And Cllr Fairclough added: "The buildings do bring the area down, they are a disgrace and the owners should be ashamed."