OCTOBER NEWSLETTER 2009
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In the September issue of the HGRA newsletter, there was a report on the new proposed Blakeley’s waste management plant in Bickershaw Lane.
HGRA have received these pictures from Blakeley’s showing what the plant could look like if the plans go ahead.
Blakeley’s Waste Management Ltd is proposing to build a new recycling centre on 
its existing site at Bickershaw Lane Abram.
The aim is to build a facility that blends into the landscape and potentially helps with local recycling targets
The aim is to achieve zero landfill.
Included are plans for a wetlands and fishery which hopefully would give something back to the community.
Exhibitions were held 7th to 11th September.
From what was said at these exhibitions, existing vehicles, noise pollution and odours 
will be greatly reduced in the design of this new facility.
According to the information, the facility will be virtually unnoticeable by local residents.
To find out more and see video….
http://www.blakeleys.co.uk
Proposed Environment Energy and Ecology Centre
Over recent months, problems have been experienced by residents in the backings situated between the two hairdressers Sculptures & Styling House on Atherton Rd Hindley Green.
Residents have been experiencing problems with potholes and parking issues. I.e. Blocking residents access to the highway.
These issues were brought up at numerous HGRA meetings by concerned residents.
As a result of this, it was arranged by Cllr Bob Brierley to rectify one of these problems by arranging to deposit road plane in this area to alleviate the pothole problem.
Before and after pictures show the difference to the area.
This work was financed from Cllr Brierleys Brighter Borough Funding.
The problem with parking is an ongoing issue.
H/8646 - Leigh Road/Atherton Road Junction Pedestrian Facilities
Letters were sent out to residents saying:
I wish to inform you that the Contractor (Wigan Council Highways DLO) has programmed the
above works to commence on 5th October 2009 and intends to complete in [8 weeks].
The works are shown on the attached plan.
The works are being completed to provide controlled crossing facilities on all three arms of the
Leigh Rd / Atherton Rd junction. The facility will call for an all red for vehicles to allow
pedestrians to cross. Dropped kerbs and red coloured tactile paving will also be installed at
the controlled crossing sites, along with pedestrian guard railing.
Every effort will be made to ensure unobstructed pedestrian and vehicular access during
this period, although some disruption may occur from time to time.
I would appreciate your co-operation in order that the works may be completed as quickly
as possible.
If there issues which you would like to discuss regarding the works please contact
Paul Doran Assistant Engineer
Paul Doran I.Eng, Assoc. CIWEM
Assistant Engineer,
Environmental Services,
Engineering Consultancy,
Highways Group,
WIGAN COUNCIL
PO Box 86, Civic Buildings,
New Market Street,
Wigan,
Lancashire,
WN1 1RP.
Atherton Rd / Leigh Rd Junction
Benefits boost – changes mean more cash for Wigan families
Changes in the way certain benefits are calculated could mean extra money for many Wigan families.
From Monday November 2 national changes to the way Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are worked out mean that families with children and people aged over 60 who have savings above £6,000 are more likely to be entitled to help than ever before.
This means that people who receive Child Benefit are now more likely to get help with their rent and council tax bills.
In another move, people over 60 with savings under £10,000 are also more likely to be better off because these savings will also not be taken into account when rent and council tax benefits are being worked out. Savings between £10,000 and £16,000 will still be taken into account but to a lesser degree. People with savings above £16,000 cannot claim unless they receive Guaranteed Pension Credit.
These new rules also apply to pension credit.
Anyone interested in making a claim can contact:
The Benefits’ Contact Centre on 01942 828644.Text phone (for people with hearing difficulties) 01942 828725.
E-mail – benefits@wigan.gov.uk
The Contact Centre number is open throughout the week and between 8am and 12.30pm on Saturdays.
More help and information is also available from:
Wigan Independent Advice Centre on 01942 494451.
Age Concern (for those aged 50 or over) on 01942 241980 for Wigan and 01942 607733 for Leigh.
Citizens’ Advice Bureau on 0844 826 9713.
To claim Pension Credit you can ring 0800 99 1234.
People already getting help with rent and council tax do not need to do anything. The council’s Benefits Section will write to them.
Closing of Hesketh Fletcher School Atherton.
There was interest shown at the HGRA October meeting concerning the closure of Hesketh Fletcher School.
This closing would effect some pupils from the Hindley Green Area.
In relation to the campaign to save Atherton’s Hesketh Fletcher High School. Local campaigners have been distributing 10,000 leaflets door-to-door this month encouraging local parents and residents to submit objections before 15th October against the school’s closure. Speaking on behalf of the Atherton Demands Its Own High School campaign, a spokesperson said: “We are as determined as ever to stop the closure of our town’s high school. Rather than accept what the Council wants to do, which is simply to close the school, any failings of which they themselves are directly responsible for, we are developing at least three alternative proposals to that put forward by the Council, which we will be revealing shortly to the public.
Union’s Protest against Super School.A union chief has joined the protest against Wigan’s super schools programme, fearing job cuts amongst teaching staff.
The government has confirmed the £80m first phase of the private finance initiative proposals for the borough to go ahead with the Building Schools for the Future programme.
The huge Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF) would see the closure of Lowton, Golborne and Hesketh Fletcher high schools and Gilded Hollins primary in Leigh.
A new super school, including primary facilities and a state-of-the-art children’s centre, would be built on the site of Lowton Civic Hall.
Further phases would see two new high schools being built to serve the Ashton and Standish/Shevington areas. It would also mean the existing Hesketh Fletcher and Pembec sites become 14-19 vocational centres.
Council leader Lord Smith has welcomed the £80m cash. He said: “This announcement means our dream to provide our children with the first rate education they deserve will now become reality.”
But Wigan Unison branch secretary Bob Adams said BSF would give millions of pounds of public money to the private sector to knock down community schools the public owns.
Wigan will then have to rent back the schools, meaning every council tax payer will end up having to pay the cost for the next 25 years, he claimed.
Mr Adams said: “Building has already started on the new Abraham Guest building in Lamberhead and it is estimated the cost of renting it back again will be £6m. This is not investing in public services, it is greasing the palms of the private sector and the banks. “It is time to end this nonsense.”
Police Officer Wendy Rowson and her team were present at the HGRA October meeting and Wendy spoke to the residents about the current situation in Hindley Green. She also said that she and her team will be involved in “Operation Storm” which is a force wide operation which involves going through the statistics on burglaries etc. They will also be giving out leaflets on crime prevention. This will be followed towards the end of October and beginning of November with “Operation Treacle” which deals with Halloween and Bonfire related incidents.
The old Britvic works on the junction of Swan Lane / Green Lane is being demolished.
Boarding has been erected on the outer fence as a precaution whilst the demolition is in progress.
It is believed that this site will be used for the building of 4 small industrial units and the work will take approx 8 to 12 months.
Sponsorships by Local Businesses.
If you have a local business and would like to sponsor HGRA.
Please contact the Secretary
HGRA Secretary: Debbie Birchall
114 Crossdale Road, Hindley Green
Wigan WN2 4RQ
Tel: 01942 515690
hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Support HGRA
There are now two easy ways for you to help raise funds for Hindley Green Residents Association!
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/hgra http://hgra.easysearch.org.uk
Membership:
If you would like to become a voting member of Hindley Green Residents Association and you have a Hindley Green address.
Please pick up a membership form from a committee member.
Or Join online.Web site address below.
http://hgra.web.officelive.com/membership.aspx
No subscription fee.
Donations accepted.
Dates Of Public Meetings for 2009
Wed 4th November
Wed 2nd December
The Hindley Green Residents Association web site & Newsletter.
It is the objective to make both the HGRA web site & the HGRA Newsletter as interesting and informative as possible.
If you come across any information or news that may interest the residents please submit it to HGRA Webmaster or HGRA Secretary
If you have any old photographs of Hindley Green buildings or Street scenes; HGRA would be possibly interested in using them on the Old Photo’s page. http://hgra.web.officelive.com/oldstyles.aspx
You could scan them and send them by Email or lend them to us and we would return them to you.
The address of the web site: http://hgra.web.officelive.com
If you have any suggestions you can Email the Webmaster. hgrawebmaster@fastmail.fm
Or HGRA Secretary: hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Police Officer Wendy Rowson’s Surgery
Last Wednesday every month
7.00pm to 9.00pm
Bethel Community Centre
Please make use of this service.
This is your opportunity to voice any concerns about incidents in the Hindley Green area. Please be aware that if you do not report any complaints and obtain a log number, incidents will not be recorded and this gives the appearance that Hindley Green does not have any issues with crime or anti social behaviour.
Tel: 0162 872 5050
Please ring the Police ensuring you receive a Crime Reference Number.
Do not feel under pressure of becoming a “nuisance”.
Visit the Police Help Page on HGRA’s web site for further useful information.
Your local Police team
PC 8243 Wendy Rowson.
PSCO Donna Longhurst.
PSCO John Barker.
Inset: Special Constable
Louise Barber
Home Watch Scheme
Following on from our recent 'home watch' presentation at the HGRA meeting in October. The Neighborhood Team are currently encouraging members of the local Community to contact us with a view to joining 'Home watch' and that further information and advice can be obtained by contacting John Barker or Donna Longhurst (Hindley Green PCSO'S)
Tel: 0161 856 7053
Hindley Green Councillors Surgeries
Cllr Barry Fagan
Cllr Louise Fagan
E-Mail:
B.Fagan@wigan.gov.uk
L.Fagan2@wigan.gov.uk
The Family Church at Bethel,
Atherton Road, Hindley Green.
2nd & 4th Friday in the month 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Cllr Bob Brierley
E-Mail: R.brierley@wigan.gov.uk
From 6.00pm to 7.00pm
The Family Church @ Bethel
1st Tuesday of the month
Park High School:
2nd Tuesday every month
Mornington Rd
High School:
3rd Tuesday every month.
Support HGRA
There are now two easy ways for you to help raise funds for Hindley Green Residents Association!
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/hgra
http://hgra.easysearch.org.uk
Sponsorships by Local Businesses.
If you have a local business and would like to sponsor HGRA.
Please contact the Secretary
HGRA Secretary
Debbie Birchall
114 Crossdale Road
Hindley Green
Wigan WN2 4RQ
Tel: 01942 515690
E Mail: hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Web Site: http://hgra.web.officelive.com
See Our Sponsors & Friends
HGRA Contact Details
Secretary: Debbie Birchall
E-mail
hgrasecretary@fastmail.fm
Contact Address:
114 Crossdale Road
Hindley Green, Wigan
WN2 4RQ