PLANS to delay the building of a new health centre in Westhoughton have angered the town’s councillors.

NHS Bolton has admitted plans for six super surgeries have been put back by six years.

And it was revealed Westhoughton was at the bottom of its priority list, behind Avondale, Farnworth, Great Lever, Little Lever and Horwich.

The town’s current health centre is in a Victorian terrace property in Market Street. There are also three GP surgeries in the town, two of which are very small practices.

Now councillors in Westhoughton claim it is another example of the town being overlooked by Bolton.

Cllr David Chadwick, leader of Westhoughton Town Council and ward councillor on Bolton Council, said: “All it does is reinforce the view that Westhoughton residents don’t matter.

“I am very unhappy about the situation because clearly there is a need for a new health centre within Westhoughton.”

Cllr David Wilkinson, who also represents Westhoughton South on Bolton Council, said: “I think people will be extremely disappointed. Westhoughton is always at the bottom of the pile when it comes to new facilities.

“The health centre was meant to be replaced seven years ago. My concern is that we will never see a new one.”

Westhoughton, Horwich and Little Lever were due to have new health centres built in 2011/12, after Avondale, Farnworth and Great Lever in 2010/11.

NHS Bolton said in May it was unlikely to keep to the schedule because, although the centres were being built by a third party at an average cost of £7 million, the NHS Bolton must pay £1 million a year per centre in rent.

A spokesman for NHS Bolton said: “NHS Bolton remains committed to replacing Westhoughton Health Centre but, as previously reported due to financial constraints, the timetable is being reviewed.

“All the six areas which had previously been identified for new health centres went through a prioritisation exercise.

“Out of a possible score of 99, Westhoughton scored 27.5, which is sixth on the list. The new Westhoughton Health Centre was originally due to open in 2012. The new timetable reflecting financial planning will be approved at the October board.”

lucy.ewing@ theboltonnews.co.uk