BOLTON’S three top decision makers travelled to Horwich to meet with a community action group concerned with the future of the historic railway town.

Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris, chief executive Sean Harriss and director or regeneration Keith Davies all attended the meeting with members of Horwich First — a group launched last year with the aim of getting a fair deal for Horwich and its residents.

The agenda of the meeting was based around a detailed document produced by the Horwich First group entitled The Future of Horwich — based on contributions from people in the town who are concerned about the sustainable growth of the Horwich in light of several planned housing developments, including the 1,700-home Rivington Chase.

Horwich First member Craig Rotherham said: “With another 870 or more homes planned elsewhere in the town as part of Bolton Council's Allocation Plan, this will increase the population by over 6,200 within a decade.

“Horwich is struggling with the resources and amenities it already has, and with the loss of recreational green spaces, football pitches and the promise of a state-of-art health centre gone, the rapid growth in population will only place even greater pressure on them.”

Mr Rotherham said he was pleased to see three “key decision makers” in attendance for what was an “open and frank” discussion.

He said: “The meeting went well and we believe that many of the issues raised were not insurmountable.

“We gave them a document containing suggestions and commitments to take away and we are now looking forward to hearing their response to these.”

One proposal mentioned at the meeting was for the development of a comprehensive town plan for Horwich.

The group feels this would give the community more involvement in the shaping of their town in the future.

Cllr Morris said: “It was a very amicable meeting and we went through everything they were concerned about.

“The majority of their concerns were regarding the Horwich Loco-Works development and no one disagrees with them on that but we are monitoring it all closely.

“The group have been very professional and it was a good meeting with an open, honest and transparent discussion.

“We have always worked closely with Horwich and we were pleased to reassure them that this will continue.”