Have a look at this link.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/05/27/cnchina27.xml

Town: Stubshaw Cross

Hi
I have read the article and await other peoples comments.
The NHS, Social Services, Disability Benefits, etc etc all require tax payers money, that means jobs. Not government and local council jobs, but jobs, that give a nett input of taxes.
I think the real problem with most developments in the Wigan area is the complete lack of forward planning of the infrastructure.
There has also been a lack of real consultation with the people concerned with developments. The attempts of community involvement, have been more talk than substance. ( see the news section of this website!!).
These are a few thoughts, thanks to the moderator for the oppotunity to discuss them.
At the end of the day Wigan can not be left behind in the job market, neither should we suffer the coomplete destruction of the enviroment we suffered with coal mining and the cotton industry
Alan

Town: Ashton

Wigan Borough does not suffer from a lack of employment. We no longer live in the 1980's in the days of mass unemployment.
These days we have other issues that are deemed more important, such as the safeguarding of our environment.( I hope you will agree that this is a global issue).
Wigan is by no means being left behind in the job market, but we are losing precious green spaces.

What happens when the council has sold them all off?

DB

The flashes are in the paper again today.

The flashes are fantasitc and something the council can be proud of.

More chat about the Chinamex and Textile City.
All this and a new road, next to and through, the flashes.

We can't have the beauty and the new "city".
Which one do we want?

Town: Stubshaw Cross

Hi
Of course we all want green spaces, but most of us also want an end to the congestion throughout the Wigan area and all the pollution that brings.
Like it or not we can not disinvent road transport within the lifespan of most of the people who read these postings.
The greenest towns have a road system that works, ours doesn't. Look at the new Haydock bypass, it is surrounded by trees. I think we must be active in supporting new roads to relieve congestion, but by that support obtain safegaurd against ribbon development.
The massive Toyota factory in Derby has excellent transport links, but is surrounded by areas of real beauty.
I believe to oppose without putting a constructive alternative will not help our cause.
For too long the planners have tinkered with the road system, this has not come cheap and as the added disadvantage of not working.
Take a ride down the A49 south of Warrington, most towns smaller than Ashton are now bypassed, I know we have the M6, and even that suffers from limited access, but the traffic through Ashton is far greater than most towns with a bypass on the A49.
Unless bold decisions are made things will only get worse, in the meantime I think there should be a complete halt on any further development. But we will only be listened to if we put alternatives.
Alan

Town: Ashton

I agree.

We can't keep saying "no new roads". Traffic is getting worse and won't get any better unless something is done to divert a lot of traffic out of the main urban roads.

The big question is - What?

I agree about the new A58 Blackbrook bypass. West End Road is now all but deserted, and the road was designed with minimal disruption to local residents in mind.

Town: Ashton