Your voice DOES matter. This is planning permission is not signed off yet local councillors are telling residents that is already an agreed deal. This health centre will be here for decades. It may not affect you now but it will at some point. Think about the impact on your family, friends, neighbours and community.

There is still time to object, email J.Corcos@wigan.gov.uk with the subject reference A/16/82988/MAJOR. It does not have to be worded anything fancy. Just clearly stating that you object and reasons why, plus your full name and address. 

Main reasons for objecting are

1. Car parking
All clinic customers will be directed here to park on the Market car park, then walk around to Council Avenue/Bryn Street. Ashton Market car park is already a ready well used car park, during the day and heavily used at school drop off and pick up times. What provisions have been made for market days and for when the car park is used for events or at busy shopping periods e.g. Silcocks Fair/ Christmas? What traffic survey’s have been actioned or evidence to support this car park will be suitable for all days of the year. The health Centre will be used by ill people who will struggle to find space which will cause them further distress. The parking that was used by residents on the right side on entering Council Avenue will now not be able to park here. They will also contribute to people parking on the Market. As parking will be full for quite a few weeks of the year what provision have you given for your patients? This will possibly increase the volume of drops off on Council Avenue. An area that is already busy at peak traffic times. I cannot see how effective planning has been actioned by someone who actually knows the area.

2. Public Transport
Lack of parking for staff and patients, steep incline for elderly and infirm to walk or to push in wheelchairs. Local market car park is already well used and utilised. Local trade may be negatively affected if shoppers can’t find space to park.
- not on a bus route, nearest bus stop is on Gerard Street or Wigan Road. 
If a patient is travelling by public transport. There are no buses running along Bryn Street. At the moment patients do no have this issue at GP’s or Ashton Clinic.

3. Highway and pedestrian safety
Having a limited pavement up to the school has always been as issue, resulting in more parents dropping their children off instead of letting them walk to school. School has been insistent that parents do not park here however parents still do and will the very limited parking enforcers in the Borough, the school have to rely on them to do the right thing. But they don’t. There are also blue badge holders collecting children from school, who also park along Council Avenue along the double yellow line. Will they be able to park there? What provision have been allowed for them? What about when the limited disabled parking bays are taken, what provision have you planned for them?

There are other concerns but these are main points.

Local residents are not being informed about this. 

We are stronger together. Make sure you object.