Kearsley: Stoneclough and Ringley landmarks could be lit up

This comes after recent announcements by Bolton Council that town centre landmarks including the war memorial would be illuminated again.  

Now Cllr Paul Heslop, who represents Kearsley, has asked if similar measures will be brought in for historic sites in his area.

He said: “We at One Kearsley believe that when it comes to our historic landmarks, that the 346-year-old Ringley Old Bridge, Stocks and nearby St Saviours Clocktower should be showcased in the same way as some of the historic landmarks in Bolton town centre.

The questions were heard at Bolton Town Hall (Image: Newsquest)

“Ringley Bridge and St Saviour’s Tower have often featured on the cover-page of council-produced brochures and magazines extolling the beauty of the borough’s monuments and places of historical interest.

“Many residents have commented on how wonderful the bridge and tower would look if illuminated especially during the long winter nights.”

Cllr Heslop's ward colleague Cllr Debbie Newall had previously asked about lighting up Ringley Old Bridge at a council meeting last November. 

The question on landmarks in Kearsley comes after the council leadership recently announced a raft of measures aimed at improving sites across Bolton town centre.

As well as illuminating the cenotaph, this includes repairing the train station clock, which has long been stuck, repainting the cross at Churchgate and getting the Steam Engine monument by the Fred Dibnah statue running again.

Cllr Heslop asked a full meeting of Bolton Council whether Ringley Old Bridge and St Saviour’s Clocktower could be illuminated and what the leadership would be doing to promote heritage all across the borough rather than just in the town centre.

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In response Cllr Nadeem Ayub, cabinet member for culture, said that the two buildings having heritage status meant it would not be possible to hang lights from it.

But he said he would work alongside Cllr Heslop and his two ward colleagues to look at the costs of additional lighting around them.

Cllr Ayub said: “I am more than happy to ask my officers to look at proposals for providing additional lighting around the two structures.”

He added: “And in my role as member for culture I am more than happy to visit all our heritage buildings and structures across the borough.”