Green initiative to boost town pride set to begin next month

The Cleaner, Greener package includes three weeks’ worth of initiatives and will take place in 12 central locations throughout 2020.

Ince, Atherton and Golborne are the first three areas to see boots on the ground in the next few weeks.

The environmental improvements are part of the Our Town £600k fund earmarked to improve district centres across the borough.

Leader of the council, Coun David Molyneux, said: “These packages have been tailored for each area, responding to feedback from residents about what is important to them.

“We know you all feel proud of your individual communities and Our Town is designed to build on that spirit.

“Our teams can’t wait to get out there and kick-off these improvement works.”

Inspired by feedback from residents, Our Town champions the borough’s mix of ‘brilliant towns that make up one great place’.

The Cleaner, Greener package includes replacement and additional bins, repainting and replacing street signs and benches, new or improved street lighting and repainting road markings.

Each area will get a deep clean, including jet-washing, weeding and pruning to tidy up the streets.

New trees will also be planted in each district and new flower planters installed.

In addition to these standard environment works, there will be individual projects funded in each of the districts.

Lead member for district centres, Coun Yvonne Klieve, said: “Our Town is all about boosting community spirit and these plans have all been designed to brighten up each area.

“We’re excited to see the difference they will make, we know maintaining clean and tidy communities is a priority identified by our residents.”

To coincide with the roll-out of the Cleaner, Greener works, council teams will be engaging with local businesses and community groups.

This includes plans to assess options regarding vacant units and shop fronts.

These will give residents access to extra information about initiatives that are taking place in their communities, opportunities to learn more about Our Town and chat with representatives from their district’s Community Safety Partnership

teams.

For more information about Our Town, including how to submit a poem, short-story or photo for the Our Town awards or to nominate a community hero, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/ourtown

The works will start in Ince w/c March 30, Atherton w/c April 13 and Golborne w/c April 27.