‘No’ to Middlebrook plan

11:46am Thursday 14th February 2013 in Local

DEVELOPERS behind the multi-million-pound Middlebrook Masterplan have failed to win over councillors.

Westhoughton Town Council is opposing the £100 million proposals to redevelop the Reebok Stadium and Bolton Arena and the surrounding land.

Whites bosses hope to build sports facilities, a free school, run by the club for pupils aged 16 to 19, and a large office development.

At Westhoughton Town Council’s meeting, Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Hoskers and Hart Common, raised concerns about the increase in traffic the development would cause.

He said: “This application does nothing for Westhoughton, but the application will at some stage get passed.

“This application shouldn’t be held on its own. We need a full masterplan for the whole area, not a salami slice.

“Traffic in Wingates Lane, Lostock Lane and Church Lane has gone up and up and up.

“It’s from Emerson at Middlebrook, and then we will have Horwich Vision and this.

“People will have to walk on the roofs of the cars.

“Unless I see something from a developer I would say get lost. If they want things they will have to cough up some goodies.”

Cllr Freda Henderson, of Wingates Ward, said traffic in Church Lane, where she lives, has increased since she moved there about 11 years ago.

She said: “People are trying to get out to beat the traffic. In the summer, it’s more and more. It’s not a rat run — it’s a nice lane that should be kept as it is.”

Cllr David Chadwick, representing Central ward, said the proposals do not adhere to Bolton Council’s core strategy, which details what the authority wants the town to look like in the future.

He said it would have a detrimental impact on the Church Wharf regeneration plans for Bolton town centre.

A spokesman for the developer said Bolton Arena runs on a “minor reserve figure”

and needed long-term investment.

He said if given the goahead, work to the education and leisure parts of the plan were likely to take priority.

Westhoughton Town Council does not have power to approve or reject the plan, but it has made a recommendation to Bolton Council planning committee, which will make the decision.

Comments (9)

12:04pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Phil from Smithills says...

An additional entry & exit road is required north of the Middlebrook Development, possibly a link road off the M61 to Chorley New Road, as well as De Havilland Way to the south of the Middlebrook.
An additional entry & exit road is required north of the Middlebrook Development, possibly a link road off the M61 to Chorley New Road, as well as De Havilland Way to the south of the Middlebrook. Phil from Smithills

12:38pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Father Jack says...

There just needs to be better access - all of the traffic has to go onto De Havilland way, which easily get's blocked when it's busy. There are also problems turning left into the station/arena road if you are approaching from Horwich due to the filter lane.
There should be an exit onto Chorley New, near to the post office / Armstrongs - make it left turn only, so you don't have a queue.
Also, an exit towards crown lane.
I think investment in this area is great, It an ideal location for business being so close to the motorway and the train station. Instead of moaning, the various councils should be looking at transportation links can be improved, so the whole of the borough benefits.
There just needs to be better access - all of the traffic has to go onto De Havilland way, which easily get's blocked when it's busy. There are also problems turning left into the station/arena road if you are approaching from Horwich due to the filter lane. There should be an exit onto Chorley New, near to the post office / Armstrongs - make it left turn only, so you don't have a queue. Also, an exit towards crown lane. I think investment in this area is great, It an ideal location for business being so close to the motorway and the train station. Instead of moaning, the various councils should be looking at transportation links can be improved, so the whole of the borough benefits. Father Jack

2:35pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Wigan Trotter says...

Is there now any need for Town and Parish Councils ?
Is there now any need for Town and Parish Councils ? Wigan Trotter

3:24pm Thu 14 Feb 13

exiled says...

"Unless I see..." who does that clown think he is???? Does he own the town or something!?
"Unless I see..." who does that clown think he is???? Does he own the town or something!? exiled

4:11pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Tommy60 says...

Both Horwich and WesthoughtonCouncils have rejected the proposals, stating mainly traffic issues.Certainly no more exits onto Chorley New Road are needed as Father Jack suggest,traffic needs to be taken away from CNR and agree with him when he says a road out towards the A6 Crown Lane area thus creating a loop around Middlebrook.
Both Horwich and WesthoughtonCouncils have rejected the proposals, stating mainly traffic issues.Certainly no more exits onto Chorley New Road are needed as Father Jack suggest,traffic needs to be taken away from CNR and agree with him when he says a road out towards the A6 Crown Lane area thus creating a loop around Middlebrook. Tommy60

10:59pm Thu 14 Feb 13

Bolton5 says...

What the hell would a loop do to an already queuing road? Just move the que to another que. The reason for ques on de haviland way are the roundabouts at the m61 and beehive, replace them with traffic lights working at peak times and traffic will flow and stop building more and more homes with even more traffic without the builders contributing anything to the local road network.
What the hell would a loop do to an already queuing road? Just move the que to another que. The reason for ques on de haviland way are the roundabouts at the m61 and beehive, replace them with traffic lights working at peak times and traffic will flow and stop building more and more homes with even more traffic without the builders contributing anything to the local road network. Bolton5

7:01am Fri 15 Feb 13

Wigan Trotter says...

Why there are no traffic lights on junction 6 is beyond me, especially when there are on Junction 8 at Chorley.

You take your life in your hands crossing the slip roads on match day's.
Why there are no traffic lights on junction 6 is beyond me, especially when there are on Junction 8 at Chorley. You take your life in your hands crossing the slip roads on match day's. Wigan Trotter

7:04am Fri 15 Feb 13

hatonfire says...

These town councillors love to throw their weight around but fortunately they don't have any to throw around, they are just talking shops.

If they had any power, the townships, Westhoughton, Blackrod and Horwich would have been ghost towns years ago, but maybe thats what they want.

This guy Wilkinson was on Bolton council until he got the boot last time. He certainly loves the sound of his own voice.
These town councillors love to throw their weight around but fortunately they don't have any to throw around, they are just talking shops. If they had any power, the townships, Westhoughton, Blackrod and Horwich would have been ghost towns years ago, but maybe thats what they want. This guy Wilkinson was on Bolton council until he got the boot last time. He certainly loves the sound of his own voice. hatonfire

12:11pm Sat 16 Feb 13

Rocket_Scientist says...

Yes middlebrook does need a better road system but what the feck has that got to do with a toytown councillor from Westhoughton who doesnt drive and wouldnt know a traffic jam if it hit him - I agree with Wigan Trotter town councils should be disbanned they are about as powerless as a LibeDem MP in a coalition government - the sooner these lot are voted into obscurity the better locally and nationally
Yes middlebrook does need a better road system but what the feck has that got to do with a toytown councillor from Westhoughton who doesnt drive and wouldnt know a traffic jam if it hit him - I agree with Wigan Trotter town councils should be disbanned they are about as powerless as a LibeDem MP in a coalition government - the sooner these lot are voted into obscurity the better locally and nationally Rocket_Scientist

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