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Tram crossing to shut despite fury

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:17:50 +0000

CAMPAIGNERS have lost a last ditch attempt to keep a tram crossing open.

Town hall chiefs have confirmed a decision to close the junction at Lauderdale Avenue in Anchorsholme after it was brought before the council’s executive for a fifth time.

The crossing is now expected to be formally closed to traffic in time for the launch of the new tram service at Easter, although residents are considering a costly legal challenge.

There will still be pedestrian access across the tracks.

Anchorsholme ward councillors Tony Williams and Paul Galley have led the fight.

Coun Williams said: “The fact this decision has been challenged and called in on three separate occasions and been considered five times by the Labour executive shows we have been able to prove there are both doubts and concerns as to the legality and safety of this council’s determination to close the Lauderdale crossing.”

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Coun Galley added: “It is very frustrating, and we have now exhausted the call-in process. There now follows a series of questions from residents of the area in regard to their house title deeds and the value of their properties that may have been affected by the closure of a right of way that was granted in 1896.”

Residents are considering seeking a judicial review of the decision.

A 3,000-signature petition opposing the closure was submitted along with concerns from emergency services.

However, the council executive said the crossing needed to be closed to allow the new supertram system to run efficiently and safely, given the increased speed and quietness of the new rolling stock. Following consultation, objections were received in response to the closure order.

The issue went before the scrutiny sub-committee which agreed to refer the decision back to the executive once more.

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New chapter at former library

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:11:53 +0000

WORK is due to begin next month on a £1m project to transform a former Blackpool library into a day care centre.

The council is joining forces with health chiefs to create a new hub for people with learning difficulties at the former library on Bispham Road.

It is due to be completed by September and, along with facilities at Whitegate Drive Independent Living Centre, will replace the Langdale Centre in Mereside.

Coun Kath Rowson, cabinet member for adult social care on Blackpool Council, said: “The new building will be much more practical for many people who currently have to travel across Blackpool to use our disabled facilties.

“The plans for the old Bispham Library site look very impressive and we have kept the front of the building unchanged, which was an important part of the design for us.

“We are also retaining the garden at the front of the library as this is a peaceful oasis that is appreciated by many local residents.”

The new facilities will continue to be called the Langdale Project and to be run by the Learning Disability Partnership.

Plans have been approved which will see the demolition of the existing health centre and dental clinic, and the construction of a single storey rear extension to the former library which was replaced by the new Moor Park Library last year.

Strong results for developer behind Blackpool plan

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:37:46 +0000

URBAN regeneration and property development company Muse Developments – delivering Blackpool’s £220m Central Business District regeneration – contributed to a resilient set of preliminary results for the year.

Parent construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall Group plc recorded profit before tax, amortisation and non-recurring items of £45.3m (2010: £51.3m) with revenue up six per cent at £2,227m.

The group’s forward order book currently stands at £3.4bn with a growing regeneration pipeline of £1.8bn, and a further £600m of regeneration schemes at preferred developer stage.

In Blackpool, Muse is working with Blackpool Council to deliver the £220m business district which will create new retail, commercial, community and hotel space, town centre parking and transport facilities.

Nigel Franklin, joint managing director of Muse, said: “We are actively building new offices, homes and retail and leisure facilities.

“This is an endorsement of our business model which provides both geographic and sector spread through a focus on truly mixed-use development.”

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Strong response to supermarket plans

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:04:43 +0000

PLANS for a new Supermarket in Thornton were given a warm welcome after they went on public display.

Bosses at Sainsbury’s say almost 85 per cent of responses to their consultation on the plans for Fleetwood Road North, next to Thornton Cleveleys FC, have been positive.

The retailer staged an exhibition of its plans at the football club – which will be unaffected if proposed new store gets built – over the weekend.

Around 100 people took the opportunity to speak with members of the development team and a preview event was also held, attracting around 30 councillors, officers and community leaders.

The initial feedback received from members of the public showed almost 85 per cent of responses in favour of the proposed development.

Jo Hawley, Sainsbury’s regional development executive, said: “We’re delighted so many people took the opportunity to come along to the public exhibition and have a look at the proposals.

“From the feedback we’ve received, it’s clear that the local community are pleased to see new investment in the local area, improved retail choice and the creation of around 400 new jobs.

“We’ll continue to consult with the local community right up until we submit a planning application to Wyre Council.

“I’d encourage people who didn’t have the chance to attend the exhibition to either have a look at the plans online, follow the Twitter feed for regular updates or speak with our consultation team should they have questions.”

The proposed 50,000sq ft store is set to create 400 jobs in the area – alongside a further 400 which will be created by another Sainsbury’s store in Blackpool’s Central Business District. One third of the jobs will be full time.

The proposals were met with a mixed response on their announcement with some traders welcoming the jobs, while others feared the store would take trade away from town centres.

Anyone who wishes to give the firm their views can do so at {http://www.sainsburys-thorntoncleveleys.co.uk|www.sainsburys-thorntoncleveleys.co.uk|Click here to visit the website}, by following @SSL_TC on Twitter, or by calling 0800 319 6162.

Unions back pension fight

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:58:33 +0000

FYLDE coast civil servants have backed a legal challenge which has been launched to fight cuts to their pensions.

An appeal hearing has started at the Royal Courts of Justice challenging the Government’s switch to use the consumer price index (CPI) instead of the normally faster-rising retail price index (RPI) when measuring price increases influencing pension upgrades.

The Government claims CPI is more appropriate. But unions have always contended the change would cost the average worker £15,000 over the course of their pension.

The move was announced by Chancellor George Osborne in June 2010 budget, without consultation or negotiation.

Duncan Griffiths, representing government workers at Norbreck and Warbreck for the PCS Union, said: “The switch is an example of how this Government wants public servants, pensioners and people entitled to benefits to pay the heaviest price for the recession.

“For new entrants to the civil service it means an immediate cut in their pensions, ripping up an agreement we reached just a few years ago. It is estimated that the change will cost public sector workers about £15,000 over an average retirement.

“We refuse to accept civil servants, nurses, teachers and council workers should be bullied into paying more and working longer for less, just to pay off debts racked up by greedy bankers who are still pocketing their bonuses.”

A Treasury spokesman said: “The reforms will save the taxpayer billions of pounds and significantly improve the long-term fiscal sustainability of this country.”

But Mr Griffiths said there were other ways to save. He added: “Cut pension tax relief for higher rate taxpayers, scrap the Trident missile system and tax the rich – 50 per cent rate on earnings over £150,000 a year would raise an additional £1.8bn.”