Campaigners fighting to ‘keep Ashton green’

The Keep Ashton Green group was formed by residents in January after they first learned of plans by developer Glenbrook for the 40-acre site, Meridan 6.

Acting as an extension to the South Lancs Industrial Estate in Ashton, the scheme could create up to 1,500 jobs.

Butresidents from the group have voiced concerns about the effect the proposals will have on the area’s green belt and traffic.

Now they fear that other projects in the area would add to these problems.

These developments include the planned regeneration of the Parkside Collliery site at Newton-le-Willows, which lies on the Wigan and St Helens boundary.

Plans there would see the land transformed into a major logistics hub while there would also be a link road.

There are also worries about proposed developments in St Helens of the land bordered by Warrington Road from Penny Lane to Haydock Island and the East Lancashire Road up to the racecourse.

Danny Fletcher, who set-up the group, said the developments would serve to put extra strain on traffic in Ashton.

He said “The proposed industrial developments surrounding Ashton, which include Haydock Point and Parkside in Haydock and M6 Junction 25 and Glasshouse Business Park in Winstanley, are more reason why the proposed expansion of South Lancs Industrial Estate is unsuitable.

“We suffer terribly in Ashton already with HGV traffic and simply cannot handle more. Keep Ashton Green (KAG) will support any neighboring campaign group in their cause to stop these developers.

“We have come to the point locally where warehouses are outnumbering trees, this will stop.”

Another concerned resident, who asked not to be named, said: “As well as this unwanted development and foreseen traffic problems in Ashton these will be made far worse by the proposed developments in St Helens and the development of Parkside as an industrial estate.

“Both these projects include major roadworks at M6 J23 and to the route of the A49 and will have a major impact on traffic in Ashton.”

A pre-application consultation phase into the Ashton plans is currently taking place and is due to end this week.

Glenbrook will then make a decision whether to submit to council for planning approval.

Glenbrook development manager Dan Symonds said the project will help the area prosper.

He said: “Already allocated for employment use in Wigan Council’s unitary development plan, Meridian 6 Wigan will build on the success of the well-established South Lancashire Industrial Estate and attract more investment and employment opportunities to the area as well as delivering much needed commercial space for local businesses looking to grow.”

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