View on a vision of Bolton's future

In the 19th century a processional route from the Town Hall to the Parish Church was pondered, but never pursued. Many will recall proposals in the Shankland Plan of the 1960s and the extent to which many were not realised.

In the days of Greater Manchester County Council (late 1970s and early 1980s) there was a proposal to re-site Ashburner Street bus station closer to Trinity Street train station, with the focus of the latter being moved towards the centre.

This was not a realistic option in the opinion of Bolton Council. Nor did other proposals concerning town centre strategy by GMC meet with local approval.

Many GMC council members took the view that town centre development was rightly a matter for local determination.

However, Bolton itself with its own powers since the demise of GMC in 1986, has missed a number of development opportunities.

Take Ashburner Street bus station for instance. While reasonably functional, it has always been too exposed to the elements. It has lacked a roof.

A two or three deck car park could easily have been built over the bus station. The roof!

There could have been a covered link to the market with lifts and escalators.

What an asset that would have been for our long-standing successful market which has never been provided with satisfactory parking.

We might also have been able to negotiate with the Police Authority for the new police station to be sited adjacent to the bus station rather than moving to Burnden.

This plan would have presented access to the car park, surveillance of the bus station for passenger safety and a covered bridge link to the County Court.

The new Magistrates Court should have been sited to the rear of the Crescent thus achieving another bridge link to the police station and County Court. What excellent value would have been achieved for the market, the police, the courts - staff and visiting lawyers.

Turning our attention to the vision for developments during 2005 and beyond; some are commendable and achievable, but others raise questions of viability and harmony with other interests.

The proposals for Trinity Street station, bus station and taxi rank are most welcome, since the existing layout has been a mistake. However, the proposal for the "rainbow" arch as supporting structure for the Newport Street bridge is a matter of aesthetics which some no doubt question.

Are the proposals for Churchgate reasonable? Are they not likely to create problems for businesses? Churchgate is a rather cramped space. Vehicles have to have access to premises and need ingress and egress. Lip service is paid to the need for thriving shopping and business facilities in town. These interests need good service free from tiresome limitations.

It will be a real benefit to see the development of the Central Street area to the rear of Victoria Hall. The area was identified in the 1980s to include residential with commercial. We have been waiting a long time.

No doubt the shopping opportunities here will call into question again the Market Hall proposals that have been so overwhelmingly opposed.

Proposals which are of benefit to the town both commercially and culturally are to be welcomed but one should be wary where these interests are not balanced.

The re-generation of St George's Road, St George's Street etc., embracing Little Bolton Town Hall, which has too long remained empty and neglected, will be most welcome.

Many are perturbed by the proposals for Le Mans Crescent which are not respectful of the architectural symmetry and perspective admired over the generations. However, internally, with the extra space becoming available, one welcomes the development of the Art Gallery and Museum to display many long hidden treasures.

Bolton & District Civic Trust have some reservations and questions but hope that some dreams will be fulfilled for a future without a decline into cluttered areas and lack of respect for our proud heritage.