Wigan community rallies round to get residents' group going

Tyldesley Monument which is one of the areas cleaned and tidied by local residents in Swinley

Swinley Residents’ Group disbanded a few years ago due to a lack of volunteers, leaving a big hole in the area.

But now Coun Lawrence Hunt said he is liaising with residents in Swinley and in the process of reinstating the group. He said the group hopes to once again be up-and-running in the “next couple of months.”

Coun Hunt said: “We are liaising with residents in Swinley and are in the process of reinstating and re-establishing the residents’ group.

“There used be a Swinley residents’ group but it folded a couple of years ago as there were only two or three people doing 90 per cent of the work.

“We hope to have the group running again in the next couple of months.

“Groups like this give more power to the residents.”

Coun Hunt said the group will tackle issues including crime and anti-social behaviour.

The group will also aim to highlight the more positive aspects of the area and take part in community initiatives such as planting schemes.

He said: “They will be dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime and speeding and all the negative stuff, but their work will focus on the entire ambience of the area.

“These will be more positive things that promote the area such as planting schemes and other community

work.

“Quite a few residents have come forward to show their interest in getting involved in the group, so hopefully things will come together soon.

“We’ll probably be looking at hosting a socially-distanced meeting in the future to get things going.”

In the past, the residents’ group tackled issues such as the huge rise in bedsits and cheap flats for rent in historic properties in the area, and the impact this was having on drugs and anti-social behaviour.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the group should contact Coun Hunt on 07725 201432